Military raids kill 16 militants in Egypt's North Sinai

At least 16 militants linked to an al-Qaida inspired militant outfit were killed today during raids by Egyptian military in the restive North Sinai Governorate.
Today's military raids targeted Sinai-based Ansar Beyt al-Maqdis (ABM) militants in four villages in the south of Sheikh Zuwied and Rafah cities, Egyptian military said.
Six other militants were arrested while six shelters and houses used by terrorists were also wiped out in the raids, media reports said.
Yesterday, the militants had released a video showing beheading of three persons accused of collaborating with Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad. They had shot dead another for allegedly operating with the Egyptian Army.

North Sinai has witnessed many violent attacks by militants since the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, that toppled ex-president Hosni Mubarak.
ABM militants have escalated its attacks on police and military officials after the ouster of former president Mohammed Morsi in July last year.
In July, militants attacked a military checkpoint in Al-Wadi Al-Gedid governorate in southern Egypt which claimed the lives of 21 Egyptian border guards and left four others injured.
The military has launched security campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses belonged to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip.