Egypt

Gunmen attack checkpoints in Sinai; workers resume destroying tunnels to Gaza

Four masked men dressed in black attempted to storm the Rafah border crossing early Friday morning.
 
Security forces apprehended the suspects, and they are currently being interrogated.
 
The sources did not state if the individuals had weapons.
 
Also on Friday, masked gunmen opened fire on two checkpoints in Arish and Sheikh Zuwayed in North Sinai.
 
In Arish, eyewitnesses said that the assailants were in a vehicle and targeted the checkpoint located at the quarries on the airport road. The sources added that security forces exchanged fire with the attackers before they fled the scene.
 
Meanwhile, a different group of masked gunmen in a vehicle targeted a checkpoint in the al-Zohour area in Sheikh Zuwayed. The security forces reportedly chased them before the gunmen escaped in the desert.
 
No injuries were reported.
 
In an attempt to address the lack of security in Sinai, the authorities have resumed destroying the underground tunnels between Sinai and Gaza after a five-day break for the Eid al-Fitr holidays. Workers are expected to face difficulties due to the presence of residents in the Rafah area.
 
Workers began destroying the tunnels between the Karam Abu Salem crossing and the Rafah border crossing 15 days ago. More than 25 tunnels have been destroyed to date.
 
Border guards in Rafah were attacked by gunmen earlier this month, killing 16 soldiers and wounding others severely.
 
North Sinai tribal leaders demand that the identity of the assailants be disclosed by Friday.
 
After closing the border in response to the attack, the Egyptian government opened one side of the Rafah border crossing to allow Umra pilgrims coming from Saudi Arabia to return to Gaza.
 
Edited translation from MENA and Al-Masry Al-Youm

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