EL-ARISH, Egypt — Islamic State militants ambushed a police convoy in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Monday, killing 18 police and wounding seven others in one of the deadliest attacks this year in the restive region bordering Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Police and military officials said roadside bombs destroyed and set ablaze four armored vehicles and a fifth carrying signal-jamming equipment meant to neutralize roadside bombs that are remotely detonated. The militants later opened fire with machine guns and commandeered truck.
Among those killed were two police lieutenants. The wounded included a police brigadier general, according to the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media.
The Islamic State group, which is spearheading an insurgency centered in northern Sinai, claimed responsibility.
The Interior Ministry, which oversees the police, issued a statement confirming the incident, but its account provided no casualty figures or how many vehicles were destroyed.
It said police traveling in the convoy fired at a car that rushed toward them, causing it to blow up and damage several of the convoy’s vehicles. That was followed by an exchange of gunfire with ‘‘terrorist elements’’ hiding in the desert on both sides of the road.
‘‘That led to the martyrdom and wounding of some of the convoy’s personnel,’’ it cryptically added.
‘‘Reinforcements were swiftly sent, the site has been sealed off and combing operations are underway,’’ it said.
Egypt’s Cabinet issued a statement, reiterating the country’s resolve to stamp out terrorism. Again, the statement provided no casualty figures or details of the attack.
The US State Department condemned the attack on Monday. Spokesperson Heather Nauert said the United States would ‘‘continue to stand with Egypt as it confronts the threat from terrorism.’’
Monday’s attack took place on a road on the western fringes of the coastal city of el-Arish in northern Sinai, a rugged region defined by desert, shrubs, and mountains. It showed the resilience of the militants in the face of a yearslong campaign to eradicate them by the military and police, which between them command far superior firepower, air support, heavy armor, and larger numbers.
The attack also suggested that the militants remain capable of carefully planning elaborate and multitiered attacks, making full use of available weapons and their knowledge of the local terrain. In a wider context, the militants have been seeking to demoralize troops using snipers, killing at least 14 policemen and soldiers in recent weeks.
Associated Press
