Egypt's army kills 30 militants in North Sinai air raids

The Egyptian Armed Forces killed 30 militants on Monday in air raids in the country's restive North Sinai province, the military spokesman said in a statement.

The raids coincide with the military celebration of the 34th anniversary of Sinai Liberation Day marking the withdrawal of the Israeli troops from Taba, the last occupied part of the Sinai Peninsula.

Weapon and ammunition caches were also destroyed in the strikes that targeted southern Sheikh Zuweid city, the statement said, noting that the forces also managed to foil an armed attack on a security checkpoint.

Egypt has been facing growing anti-government terror attacks since the military overthrew Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and later blacklisted his Muslim Brotherhood group.

On the other hand, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced it will celebrate the national day by air and water shows and military music concerts in major squares nationwide.

Meanwhile, the army deployed its vehicles to protect vital state institutions across the country in anticipation of protests urged by some political forces against a recent deal to transfer two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. Endit