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Militants blow up pipeline in Sinai: Egypt

By AAP Newswire

May 1, 2022

Egyptian armoured vehicle in Sinai Peninsula — Egypt is battling an insurgency from militants in the Sinai Peninsula. -AP

Militants have blown up a natural gas pipeline in Egypt's restive northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, causing a fire but no casualties, security officials say.

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The officials said the suspected militants planted explosives under a pipeline in the town of Bir al-Abd.

The explosion sent thick flames of fire shooting into the sky and authorities stopped the flow of gas to extinguish the fire, according to eyewitnesses.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to media and the eyewitnesses asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.

No group immediately claimed the attack which caused no human casualties.

Egypt is battling an Islamic State-led insurgency in the Sinai that intensified after the military overthrew an elected but divisive Islamist president in 2013.Â

The militants have carried out scores of attacks, mainly targeting security forces and Christians.

Saturday's attack comes as the militants suffered heavy losses in recent months with Egyptian security forces, aided by armed tribesmen, who intensified their efforts to eliminate the group.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press