Dozens of Egyptian police killed in raid
CAIRO — Dozens of Egyptian police were killed in clashes with militants in the country’s western desert on Friday, one of the deadliest attacks this year suffered by Egypt’s security forces fighting persistent and spreading Islamic militancy.
At least 55 policemen, including 20 officers and 34 conscripts, were killed in a shootout during a raid on a militant hideout about 80 miles from the Egyptian capital, The Associated Press reported, citing security officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Several other local media reported similar death tolls.
The incident took place late Friday after security forces received intelligence that suspected Islamist militants were at a hideout in the Baharia Oasis, south of the capital. As they approached, they were ambushed by gunmen using rocket-propelled grenades and bombs.
No group yet has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The militants, according to local media reports, belonged to Hasm, which Egypt’s security forces claimed to be the armed wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement led by Morsi that is now outlawed. But analysts say there is no conclusive evidence that Hasm is officially linked to the Brotherhood, though some Hasm members are said to be Brotherhood members who now favor violent means to oppose the government.
Last month, at least 18 policemen were killed when a suicide bomber targeted their convoy near the North Sinai provincial capital of Arish.
That attack was claimed by the Islamic State’s affiliate, known as Wilayat Sinai, which has been waging a four-year insurgency against the government mostly in northern Sinai.
Last Sunday, six soldiers and two dozen militants were killed in assaults on military outposts there.