Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

5 Egypt Police Killed in Checkpoint Attack South of Cairo | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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An Egyptian policeman stands guard on Cairo’s landmark Tahrir Square on January 25, 2017. (AFP)


Five Egyptian policemen were killed Friday after gunmen ambushed them at a checkpoint in Giza province, south of the capital, police officials and the state-run MENA news agency said.

The attack took place near Badrasheen, a town some 20 kilometers from Cairo, where militants have also targeted police in the past.

The gunmen killed two officers and three conscripts, MENA said citing a security source.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the killings, which came as police and the army said they are closing in on militants following a spate of attacks in the Nile Valley and the Sinai Peninsula.

Egypt has struggled to quell ISIS based in the Sinai Peninsula and smaller militant groups in the mainland since 2013.

Earlier this week, the ministry said police had killed six ISIS militants in a shootout in southern Egypt.

While smaller groups like Hasam have mostly targeted policemen and government officials, ISIS has also attacked foreign tourists and Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority.

On Thursday, Christian churches said they were suspending some activities such as conferences and religious trips for three weeks over security concerns.