Egypt's army on Sunday (October 16th) announced it has launched a major campaign targeting "terrorist elements" in several parts of Sinai, Egypt's Ahram Online reported.
The campaign includes operations by special forces units, the 2nd and 3rd field armies and the police, all of whom aim to "capture and target terrorist elements and outlaws in the vicinity of villages, cities and residential areas in North and Central Sinai", the army spokesman said.
The campaign will include a review of all security arrangements in the areas, with security forces "adhering to the rules of engagement to ensure the safety of civilians who may be used as human shields by militants", the statement added.
The campaign was announced after "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) affiliate Wilayat Sinai on Friday attacked an army checkpoint in the Bir al-Abd area west of al-Arish, killing 12 soldiers and wounding at least six more.
The army said it killed 15 militant fighters in response when Egyptian jets bombed militant targets for three hours on Saturday.
Three military personnel were killed and two wounded during air and ground operations on Sunday, military spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Samir said.
Air forces pounded 16 militant hideouts while ground and special troops simultaneously raided a number of other targets, killing 18 militants, he said.
This is the second comprehensive campaign launched by the army since Operation Martyr's Right kicked off in September 2015.
Following Friday's attack, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi issued a statement mourning the victims and vowing the incident would only "increase our determination and persistence to continue our battle for development and survival".
