Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Egypt has claimed killing the leading operatives of Ansar Beit Maqdis.

Officials said a major security operation in the Suez province killed at least seven top fighters of Ansar. They said a joint raid by the Egyptian Army and police targeted an Ansar stronghold in Mount Galala near the Suez Canal.

“They are considered to be among the most dangerous elements of Ansar Beit Maqdis,” Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim said.

At a news conference on Sept. 14, Ibrahim said the Ansar cell directed attacks against the army and security forces throughout the Suez province.

He said the seven Ansar operatives were killed in a gun battle and later identified through DNA.

“The police are capable of facing the elements of evil, terrorism and outlaws,” Ibrahim said.

Officials said the Ansar cell marked the expansion of the largest insurgency group from the Sinai Peninsula to the African mainland. They said the cell also participated in Ansar bombings of the security headquarters in Cairo and Daqahliya.

Ibrahim said authorities have become increasingly effective in tracking and eliminating Ansar operatives. The minister urged families to persuade relatives in Ansar to surrender.

“Your sons have paved the way to stability, and the security forces will hunt down all those who use religion as a cover to their terrorist attacks,” Ibrahim said.

  Egyptian Army kills seven top Ansar Beit Maqdis fighters, Mohamed Ibrahim, Mount Galala, Sinai Peninsula