Egyptian officials: Militant attack kills soldier in Sinai

EL-ARISH, Egypt – Egyptian security officials say militants have attacked the same army checkpoint in Sinai where 12 soldiers were killed earlier this month, this time leaving one soldier dead.

They say the attack on Bir el-Abd took place on Monday. It’s about 80 kilometres, or 50 miles, east of the Suez Canal.

Militants attacked the same checkpoint on Oct. 14, killing 12 soldiers and wounding eight. That attack drew a harsh response from the military, with large-scale security sweeps and airstrikes.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

Egyptian security forces have been battling militants in Sinai for years, but their attacks grew deadlier and more frequent after the military’s 2013 ouster of an Islamist president whose year in office proved divisive.