The armed forces announced in a Tuesday statement its success in thwarting an attack launched by "State of Sinai" earlier in the day. A military spokesman noted that 20 militants launched the attack at dawn by firing mortar shells in a security zone in Sheikh Zuweid. The exchange of fire left three militants injured, who later escaped, leaving behind ammunition and weapons. However, the attack neither injured nor killed any security personnel. "State of Sinai" claimed to have injured 14 security personnel, after three mortar shells hit a central security camp in Rafah. The military spokesman neither confirmed nor denied the incident, and noted that only the attacks announced through official statements occurred. Both sides have continuously claimed the upper-hand in their statements, which usually also contain visual footage. "State of Sinai's" statements refer to the armed forces as an "apostasy army", while the armed forces refer to militants as "takfiris" or "terrorists". "State of Sinai" usually posts photos and videos of their operations in North Sinai, whether they are targeting security personnel or civilians. The latest statement on their official account featured photos of several operations targeting checkpoints in Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid. The armed forces frequently announce the results of attacks launched against militants with the aim of "eliminating terrorism" from the restive peninsula. So far, the number of killed militants exceeded 300, in addition to hundreds of arrests, according to separate statements by military spokesman. "State of Sinai" posted photos claiming the armed forces are hitting civilian targets, in attempts to get North Sinai residents on their side. However North Sinai tribes, notably Al-Tarabeen, announced their support for the army, and their coordination with them to counter terrorism led by "Islamic State" affiliates in North Sinai. The act was prompted in retaliation to the death of one of Al-Tarabeen's members recently at the hands of "State of Sinai".
