Twin bombings in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula leave 8 dead

CAIRO (AA) - Eight people were killed on Tuesday, including at least four policemen, by twin attacks in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

“A suicide bomber blew himself up near a security force that was on patrol in the city of ​​Sheikh Zuwaid,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

In addition to the bomber, six people were killed in the attack, including four policemen and a six-year-old child, according to the ministry.

Shortly afterward, a second attack reportedly occurred near the Rafah police station, killing one person and injuring another.

For the past year, Egyptian security forces have waged extensive operations against what they describe as “terrorist groups” based in Sinai.

The peninsula has remained the epicenter of a militant insurgency since mid-2013, when Mohamed Morsi -- Egypt’s first freely-elected president -- was ousted in a military coup.