Sinai attacks kill two Egyptian soldiers, policeman
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An Egyptian soldier standing on top of a watch tower on the Egyptian side of the border with the Gaza Strip, on July 5, 2013 Gunmen have killed two Egyptian soldiers and a policeman in three separate attacks in the restive Sinai peninsula, which borders Israel, security and medical sources told AFP. (AFP/File)
Gunmen killed two Egyptian soldiers and a policeman on Sunday in three separate attacks in the restive Sinai peninsula, which borders Israel, security and medical sources told AFP.
The unidentified assailants in the town of El-Arish shot dead one soldier in front of the television and broadcasting building and another who was on guard duty, and killed the policeman in an attack on a police station, a security source said.
The attack on the broadcasting and television building also wounded two other soldiers, medical sources said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Since the military coup that toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi on July 3 after massive nationwide protests, militant groups have launched almost daily attacks on troops and police in the Sinai.
Sunday's attacks bring to 18 the number of security forces personnel killed -- 14 policemen and four soldiers -- since Morsi's ouster.
Two Egyptian Christians were also killed in the region, one of them found decapitated five days after being kidnapped.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Analysts attribute the Sinai violence to Islamist extremists seeking to take advantage of the political insecurity in the country after Morsi's ouster.