![A file photo from July 26th, 2018 shows Egyptian policemen standing guard in a street in the North Sinai provincial capital of al-Arish. [Khaled Desouki/AFP]](/cnmi_am/images/2020/05/26/24206-Egypt-forces-Arish-700_496.webp)
Egypt on Saturday (May 23rd) said its security forces had killed 21 extremists during clashes in the Sinai peninsula, where Egyptian forces have been battling the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) and other extremists.
Police raided two hideouts of "terrorist elements" in North Sinai, sparking a gun battle in which two officers also were wounded, the interior ministry said.
The militants had been using a farm in North Sinai as a hideout, plotting and training for attacks, as well as a house in the Bir al-Abed area, Egypt's Ahram Online reported.
Both the house and the farm were raided concurrently.
During the shootouts, 14 militants were killed at the farm, where police found 13 automatic rifles, three explosive devices, an explosive belt and a wireless radio.
At the Bir al-Abed house, police killed seven militants and found four automatic rifles, two explosive devices and an explosive belt.
The ministry said the militants had been planning attacks during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which began in Egypt on Sunday.
In February 2018, Egyptian forces launched a nationwide operation against extremists, focused on North Sinai.
Around 950 suspected militants have been killed in the region along with dozens of security personnel, according to official figures.
Yes, and our thanks and appreciation to our policemen and soldiers for their sacrifices for the sake of our country. Thanks a lot!
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