Special to WorldTribune.com

The Egyptian affiliate of Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) has ramped up the number of attacks in the provincial capital of the Sinai Peninsula.

Sinai Province jihadists have carried out several attacks in El Arish in the last two months, including a strike on a hotel that hosted Egyptian judges and prosecutors in which eight people were killed.

“There is no question that the terrorists have a presence inside the city,” an Egyptian security source said.

Egyptian army spokesperson Mohamed Samir said on his official Facebook page on Dec. 27 that security forces killed two terrorists in El Arish, including one allegedly involved in the murder of police captain Ayman Desouki in January 2015.

Samir said the personal weapon of the slain police captain was found on the deceased jihadist. The Sinai Province terrorist was said to be in charge of abductions and assassinations in the region.

Desouki was kidnapped while traveling on a bus in North Sinai in January 2015 and was found dead days later.

Egyptian security officials on Dec. 27 also reported the killing of another suspected jihadist near Mount Halal, the stronghold of militant and terrorist groups in North Sinai.

  El Arish, ISIL seen focusing Egypt attacks on Sinai capital, Mount Halal, WorldTribune.com