Islamic State Launches Multiple Attacks In Egypt's North Sinai. 70 Soldiers Reported Kill

Reuters: Islamic State attack in Egypt's North Sinai kills 70

Islamic State insurgents attacked several military checkpoints in Egypt's North Sinai on Wednesday in a co-ordinated assault in which at least 70 combatants and civilians were killed -- one of the biggest militant attacks in Egypt's modern history.

The action marked a significant escalation in violence in the Sinai Peninsula, located between Israel, the Gaza Strip and the Suez Canal.

It also raised questions about the government's ability to contain an insurgency that has already killed hundreds of police and soldiers.

Islamic State's Egyptian affiliate, Sinai Province, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The army said five checkpoints were hit by about 70 militants and the fighting raged for more than eight hours.

One security source put the number of militants at about 300, armed with heavy weapons and anti-aircraft weaponry.

More News On Today's Multiple Attacks By The Islamic State In North Sinai

LIVE UPDATES: Dozens killed in largest attack by IS against Egypt's army in North Sinai -- Ahram Online
Egyptian Militants Linked to ISIS Launch Attack in Northern Sinai -- NYT
Militants attack Egyptian army checkpoints in Sinai, kill 50 -- AP
Egypt's Sinai rocked by wave of deadly attacks -- BBC
ISIS-affiliated militants launch wave of assaults in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula -- Washington Post
50 soldiers killed in ISIS attack on Egyptian Army's Sinai checkpoints -- FOX News
Report: Sinai attacks kill 20 Egyptian soldiers; ISIS claims responsibility -- CNN
Deadly attacks target soldiers in Sinai -- Deutsche Welle
'50 killed' in attacks on Egyptian checkpoints in Sinai, ISIS claims responsibility -- RT
Deadly attacks hit Egypt's Sinai -- Al Jazeera
Attacks on Egyptian checkpoints signal escalation in Isis capabilities -- The Guardian