18 dead after IS attack Egyptian police convoy

Islamic State militants have ambushed a police convoy in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, killing 18 police and wounding seven others.

It is one of the deadliest attacks this year in the restive region bordering Israel and the Gaza Strip. Roadside bombs destroyed and set ablaze four armoured vehicles and a fifth one carrying signal-jamming equipment, police and military officials said. The gunmen later opened fire with machine guns and commandeered a police vehicle.

Among those killed were two police lieutenants. The wounded included a police brigadier general. IS claimed responsibility in a brief item carried by its Aamaq news agency. The attack took place about 19 miles west of el-arish in northern Sinai.