CAIRO — An Egyptian militant group allied with Daesh (so-called Islamic State) claimed responsibility on Friday for attacks on military checkpoints which killed 15 soldiers and two civilians in the Sinai. Sinai Province said in a statement its fighters used rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons in the attacks on Thursday, which highlighted security challenges facing Egypt despite one of the toughest crackdowns on militancy in its history. The group, formerly called Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis, said the operations killed or wounded tens of people. Sinai-based militants have killed hundreds of soldiers and police since then army chief Sisi toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in 2013 after mass protests against his rule. — Reuters
