Published today 14:34
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| An Egyptian soldier stands guard at the Egyptian Rafah crossing, north of Sinai, on Aug. 22, 2011. (Reuters/Asmaa Waguih) |
EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma’an) -- Two Egyptian soldiers were killed on Thursday by gunmen in the Sinai peninsula, security sources told Ma'an.
They were on patrol in the town of Sheikh Zuwaid when they were shot at by two unidentified Bedouin tribesmen riding a motorbike with their faces covered, according to eyewitnesses.
The soldiers were named as Ali Abdul Ibrahim and Islam Abdullah Abdul Rahman.
Security in the isolated Sinai has deteriorated since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising in February 2011.
Groups of militant Islamists scattered across the north of the desert peninsula have attacked police stations and a pipeline exporting gas to Israel and Jordan.
Police have been absent for months from Sheikh Zuwaid and some other cities of north Sinai since last year's uprising. Army troops, seen as more welcome among the local population, are struggling to ensure security in their place.
Reuters contributed to this report
Maan News Agency
They were on patrol in the town of Sheikh Zuwaid when they were shot at by two unidentified Bedouin tribesmen riding a motorbike with their faces covered, according to eyewitnesses.
The soldiers were named as Ali Abdul Ibrahim and Islam Abdullah Abdul Rahman.
Security in the isolated Sinai has deteriorated since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising in February 2011.
Groups of militant Islamists scattered across the north of the desert peninsula have attacked police stations and a pipeline exporting gas to Israel and Jordan.
Police have been absent for months from Sheikh Zuwaid and some other cities of north Sinai since last year's uprising. Army troops, seen as more welcome among the local population, are struggling to ensure security in their place.
Reuters contributed to this report
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