12 ‘terror elements’ killed in Egypt’s Western Desert

By Omar Thabet

CAIRO (AA) - At least 12 militants were killed on Friday after clashing with security forces in the Al-Wahat region of Egypt’s Western Desert, according to an Egyptian security source.

“Egyptian intelligence received information that a large number of terrorist elements were hiding out in a mountainous area of the Al-Wahat region,” state media quoted an unnamed security source as saying.

“When security forces arrived to the area, they were shot at by unidentified gunmen, forcing them to return fire,” he added.

At least 12 “terrorist elements” were killed in the ensuing exchange, the same source said, adding that security forces were now in the process of combing the area for additional gunmen.

Last Friday, at least 16 Egyptian policemen were killed -- and several others injured -- in fierce confrontations with unidentified militants that occurred in the same region.