An Egyptian military officer was killed and two others were wounded in a missile attack that was launched against a military airport in Sinai northern town of Al-Arish, the Egyptian army announced today.
According to the army’s spokesperson, Col Tamer El-Rifai, the attack also caused partial damages to an armed forces helicopter.
The attack took place during a visit by the Egyptian ministers of interior and defence to Al-Arish.
“Military officers immediately dealt with the source of the smoke plume seen coming from the airport and taped off the surrounding area for further investigation,” El-Rifai added.
Read: Egypt’s Sisi urges army chief to use ‘brute force’ to restore Sinai security
Egypt has been battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai, with hundreds of security forces killed in the attacks.
The interior ministry announced today a high security alert level, allocating 230,000 security personnel to secure the country’s Christmas celebrations which start next week.