In Egypt, 14 militants were killed in an operation by security forces in the restive northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. The security forces said, their offensive involved clashes with militants in desert areas outside the city of el-Arish.

They said, the extremists had intended to plant roadside bombs in areas between el-Arish and the cities of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweyid. Other weapons caches, including explosives, were found in the al-Halal mountain area.