(Israel Hayom) Egyptian helicopter gunships and tanks pounded suspected hideouts and weapon caches of Islamic militants on Saturday in northern Sinai in what locals say is the largest operation in the region in years. Nine militants and two soldiers were killed during the raids, security officials said. Residents say they saw columns of trucks and armored vehicles pour into the area. Military helicopters hovered overhead in a dozen villages near Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid. Soldiers stormed homes searching for suspected fighters. "We aim to cleanse the whole region of militants and prevent them from coming back," a security official said.
2013-09-09 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive