Egypt military says killed leader of Islamic State in Sinai

The strikes also killed 45 other Islamic State fighters and destroyed arms and ammunition stores used by the group.

By REUTERS
Updated: AUGUST 4, 2016 21:16
A member of a militia kneels as he celebrates victory next to a wall painted with the black flag commonly used by ISIS terrorists. (photo credit: REUTERS)
A member of a militia kneels as he celebrates victory next to a wall painted with the black flag commonly used by ISIS terrorists.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
CAIRO - Egypt's military said on Thursday it had killed Abu Duaa al-Ansari, which it identified as the leader of the Sinai branch of Islamic State, in a series of air strikes near the town of Arish.
It said on its Facebook page that the strikes had also killed 45 other Islamic State fighters and destroyed arms and ammunition stores used by the group.
There was no immediate confirmation from Sinai Province, Islamic State's offshoot in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
Earlier this week after Islamic State-linked terrorists in the Sinai Peninsula apparently released a new video that includes threats against Israel and Jews among its belligerent messages.
The video released Monday shows jihadis from the group known as Islamic State in Sinai, or Wilayat Sayna, vowing to target Israel in the near future and conquer Rome.
Jpost.com staff contributed to this report.