Bomb attack kills at least nine policemen in Egypt's SinaiSeptember 2, 2014 - 14:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least nine policemen have been killed in a bomb attack on a convoy in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, officials said, according to BBC News. The bomb was reportedly detonated remotely as they travelled through the village of Wefaq, near the Gaza border. Security forces have been carrying out an offensive in northern Sinai, killing and capturing dozens of suspected members of jihadist militant groups. Militants have stepped up attacks on soldiers and police since the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi last year. The main Sinai-based jihadist group, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, has acknowledged in statements that several of its leaders have been killed in the recent security operation. Last week, it also announced that it had beheaded four Egyptian civilians whose bodies were found in August. It accused them of providing Israel with intelligence for an air strike that killed three of its fighters in late July. A video published online showed armed, masked men standing over four captives as a statement was read out. They were then decapitated. The footage was reminiscent of videos of killings posted by Islamic State (IS), a jihadist group that has taken control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria. However, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis is not believed to be linked to IS. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements. Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of Armenia Henrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |