An Islamic State leader has been killed in a series of airstrikes, according to Egypt’s military.
Abu Duaa al-Ansari, who the country identifies as the forerunner of a group calling itself Sinai Province, died after the attack near Arish, along with 45 other Islamist fighters.
In 2014, an Egyptian militant group called Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) pledged allegiance to Islamic State and changed its name to Sinai Province.
The country’s army said al Ansari was behind scores of deadly attacks on security forces and the suspected downing of a Russian passenger jet in 2015.
The Egyptian military announced the news on its Facebook page, declaring: “This successful operation confirms the pledges of the armed forces to avenge their martyrs and … pursue all the terrorist elements and leaders wherever they are found until Egypt and its great people enjoy security and stability.”
Egypt’s army has been engaged in military operations against Islamist insurgents in Northern Sinai for several years, but attacks against them have intensified since the removal of former president Mohamed Morsi in August 2013.
Hundreds of soldiers and policemen have been killed by an insurgency since mid-2013, when then-army chief Abdel Fattah al Sisi ousted Mr Morsi following mass protests.
Last month Egypt’s army suffered one of its deadliest days in decades after militants thought to be members of ABM launched an attack in Northern Sinai which killed 33 security personnel.
Mr al Sisi blamed the involvement of foreign forces and announced the closure of the Rafah border crossing with Gaza.
culled from: https://www.today.ng/news/world/162855/islamic-state-leader-killed-egypt-airstrike
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