![Egyptian armed forces killed 19 militants in operations in north Sinai in late May and recovered troves of automatic rifles, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades in possession of the militants. [Photo courtesy of the Egyptian Armed Forces]](/cnmi_am/images/2020/06/01/24302-egypt-sinai-op-700_496.webp)
Egypt's armed forces have killed 19 militants in targeted ground and air operations as part of their battle to quell a long-running insurgency by extremists in north Sinai, the army said Saturday (May 30th).
Five soldiers were killed or wounded in the operations last week, according to the online video statement, which did not specify the number of military fatalities.
The video said troops had killed three "extremely dangerous" militants as well as 16 others in precision airstrikes on their "terrorist hideouts".
"Two officers, a non-commissioned officer and two soldiers were killed and wounded in the operations," the statement said.
Troops have recovered troves of automatic rifles, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades in possession of the militants, the army added.
They also detonated five explosive devices planted on roads in operation zones, and destroyed two four wheelers and a warehouse containing a large amount of explosives and logistics support for terror groups.
Security forces have been battling extremist groups, including a local affiliate of the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS), in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt's north-east.
In February 2018, authorities launched a nationwide operation against militants, focused on north Sinai.
Around 970 suspected militants have been killed in the region along with dozens of security personnel, according to official figures.
