26 militants killed in Egypt army raids

Cairo: Twenty-six militants were killed on Monday as Egyptian army raided their hidehouts in some cities in the restive North Sinai as part of the military's campaign against terrorists.

The army also arrested 25 suspected terrorists, army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohamed Samir said.

Samir also added that five unlicensed vehicles and motorcycles were destroyed during the offensive.

The raids are part of the army's campaign against militants in the major cities of Rafah, Sheikh Zwayed and Al-Arish.

Egypt's North Sinai has witnessed many violent attacks by militants since the January, 2011 revolution that toppled ex-president Hosni Mubarak.

The attacks targeting police and military increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule.

Over 600 security personnel have been reported killed since then.

The military has launched security campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip.