An Egyptian police officer was killed and four soldiers were wounded in an explosion at a security checkpoint near St. Catherine’s monastery in South Sinai on April 18, according to media reports.
The apparent attack comes less than 10 days after dozens of people were killed in double bombings at two Christian churches.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the shooting. On its Amaq Agency, the group said “Islamic State fighters” carried out the attack.
Egypt’s Ministry of Interior said an assailant opened fire on the checkpoint, killing one police officer. The gunman fled after security forces returned fire.
صرح مسئول مركز الإعلام الأمنى بقيام عدد من الأشخاص المسلحين أعلى المنطقة الجبلية المواجهة لأحد الأكمنة الأمنية… https://t.co/xavHDO1L83
— وزارة الداخلية (@moiegy) April 18, 2017
Earlier, Al-Masry Al-Youm reported a police officer fired his weapon by mistake and hit four colleagues.
On April 19, the Interior Ministry said local security forces and Bedoins tracked the attackers and killed one suspect.