In Egypt, security forces killed at least 12 Islamic militants in a shootout in northern Sinai Peninsula. An Official News Agency today said, the fighting erupted when forces raided a suspected militant hideout in the city of al-Arish.

Egypt has battled militants for years, but the Sinai-based insurgency gained strength after the 2013 overthrow of the country’s elected but divisive Islamist President, Mohammed Morsi. In February, Egypt launched a massive operation against militants in Sinai and elsewhere in the country.