Bombing targets troops near Egypt-Gaza border

November 04, 2014 02:22

A bomb exploded today near Egyptian troops demolishing houses along the border with the Gaza Strip, causing no casualties but prompting authorities to raise security alert levels in the area as Egypt clears a buffer zone to halt weapons smuggling, military officials said.

The border town of Rafah and its surrounding areas in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula have been under a state of emergency for more than a week since an October 24 militant assault killed 31 troops. It was the deadliest attack on Egyptian troops in recent times.

No one claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the Northern Sinai has become a stronghold of Islamic militants who have carried out scores of attacks in recent months, mainly targeting soldiers and police.

Despite a nearly yearlong military offensive, the insurgency has expanded at times to reach Cairo and other cities.

Following the killing of the 31 troops, the government declared it will create a 500-meter (550-yard) buffer zone along Egypt's 13-kilometer (8-mile) border with Gaza extending from the Mediterranean Sea. Over the past week, troops demolished 300 houses out of more than 800 targeted, home to more than 10,000 residents.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

LS polls: Meet the prominent contestants in fourth phase

Among the keenly watched contests are those involving former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav (Kannauj, UP) and Union ministers Giriraj Singh (Begusarai, Bihar), Nityanand Rai (Ujiarpur, Bihar) and Raosaheb Danve (Jalna,...

In Pictures - Simarjeet's best restricts Rajasthan Royals

Images from the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in Chennai on Sunday.

ED to quiz J'khand minister Alamgir Alam after Rs 37-cr cash seizure

Alamgir Alam had distanced himself from the activities of Lal while speaking to reporters after the ED raids, pointing out that he had earlier served with other ministers of the state government too.

No CBI probe into Prajawal case, we have faith in SIT: Siddaramaiah

Questioning Bharatiya Janata Party's locus standi to make such a demand, he asked the opposition party as to why it doesn't trust the police.

Another Indian arrested in Canada in Nijjar murder case

Amardeep Singh, 22, a resident of Brampton, Surrey, and Abbotsford areas of Canada, has been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.