Egypt army, air force launch offensive against militants after mosque attack in North Sinai kills 235

Cairo: The Egyptian air force on Saturday gunned down several militants and destroyed their vehicles, hours after over 235 worshippers were killed in a terrorist attack at a mosque in the country’s restive North Sinai region. [caption id=“attachment_4226549” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] This image released by Egypt’s Presidency shows Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi meeting with officials in Cairo after the mosque attack. AP[/caption] Army spokesperson Tamer el-Refai said in a statement that the air forces launched retaliatory attacks on terror hideouts in the surrounding area of North Sinai, killing militants and destroying vehicles used in the deadly attack. He said arms and ammunition depots of the militants were also targeted. At least 235 worshippers were killed and 109 others injured when heavily-armed militants bombed the al-Rowda mosque in Al-Arish city and opened fire on people attending Friday prayers. Earlier, local media reports quoting sources in the security force said the army launched “immediate and wide” ground and air raids and two drones attacked two vehicles belonging to militants in Al-Resha village near el-Rouda village. Following the mosque attack, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had chaired an emergency meeting with officials to review security situation. In a statement later, he pledged to respond with “brutal force” against militants. He had said that the “vile and treacherous” activity would not pass without a decisive punishment. The Egypt government has announced three days of mourning.