On Tuesday, an Egyptian army officer was killed in an attack by the Islamic State-affiliated Sinai Province organization in North Sinai. Military medical sources said that officer Mahmoud Ibrahim Al-Harbawi was a member of the 103rd Brigade. About ten days ago, the terrorist group carried out a surprise attack on the international road linking the Suez Canal and the city of Al-Arish. It also hijacked several cars.

The Egyptian Armed Forces have lost thousands of its officers and soldiers during the last decade as a result of the war with the group. Tribal groups supporting the army have also lost dozens of their members. Military operations have failed to eliminate the terrorist organization, despite security cooperation between the Egyptian and Israeli armies.