Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Egypt has been battling Al Qaida-aligned insurgents near the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Egypt’s official Middle East News Agency reported heavy fighting between the Egyptian Army and unidentified Islamist insurgents in the Sinai Peninsula.

The agency said at least eight insurgents were killed and dozens
of others were arrested near Sheik Zweid, located next to the Gaza Strip.

“Eight extremists, 26 others were arrested, six cars and 20 motorbikes
were destroyed in security raids south of Sheik Zweid,” MENA said.

In a report on June 22, MENA said the Egyptian Army and Central Security
Forces found and destroyed 21 insurgency strongholds near Sheik Zweid. The
agency said the unidentified “havens” were used to “carry out attacks
against police and military.”

The report marked one of the fiercest battles in Sinai in months between
the Army and Al Qaida-aligned fighters. Egypt has identified the biggest
insurgency force in the peninsula as Ansar Beit Maqdis.

Earlier, Islamist fighters were said to have detonated a large bomb near
the North Sinai provincial capital of El Arish. There were no reports of
casualties.

Ansar and other militias were said to use motorcycles for attacks on the
army and security forces. Officials said authorities routinely destroyed
such unattended vehicles.

“Six cars and 20 motorbikes without license plates were also destroyed,”
MENA said.

  Ansar Beit Maqdis, Heavy fighting reported between Egypt and Islamists near Gaza border, Sheik Zweid, Sinai Peninsula