At least two Egyptian soldiers have lost their lives in a roadside bomb explosion in the troubled Sinai Peninsula, security sources say.


The attack was carried out late on Saturday when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in a road in the town of Sheikh Zuweid near the border with the Gaza Strip.

The incident took place on the same day that Egyptian troops killed at least 10 people and injured 20 others during a major military offensive against militants across the volatile region.

The Sinai has long been considered a safe haven for militants. In recent months, the remote desert region has been the scene of growing violence and militant attacks on security forces.

Since the ouster of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on July 3, militant groups have launched almost daily attacks there, killing several members of security forces. In response, Cairo launched an offensive against the militants in Sinai, sending thousands of troops backed by tanks and heavy equipment into the region.