Bomb explosion kills 4, injures 7 in Egypt’s restive Sinai
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Egyptian men and army officials march during the funeral of an army colonel, who was killed in a roadside bombing claimed by the Daesh terrorist group, on the outskirts of Arish, North Sinai, January 29, 2016. ©AFP
An improvised explosive device (IED) has exploded in Egypt’s volatile Sinai Peninsula, leaving four people dead and seven others wounded.
The incident took place on Friday night in the city of el-Arish, North Sinai’s provincial capital, Egyptian media reported.
The IED was supposed to explode when security forces were passing, but it was detonated when civilians were present at the site.
No individual or militant group has yet claimed responsibility for the blast, but such incidents are often blamed on militants affiliated with the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group.
The bombing came one day after the Egyptian military said it had killed Abu Duaa al-Ansari, the leader of the Sinai branch of Daesh.
Ansari was killed in airstrikes targeting the militants’ strongholds near Arish along with over 45 of his aides.
The air raids further destroyed a number of weapon and ammunition stores as well as explosives belonging to the extremists.
Egyptian Brigadier General Mohammed Samir said on his Facebook page that Ansari was killed in an operation guided by “accurate intelligence.”
The government in Cairo views Sinai Peninsula as a safe haven for terrorists.
ME
