US condemns Egypt terror attack

Washington: The United States has condemned terror attack in Egypt in which 18 soldiers were killed on Monday.

Department of State Spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement that the US will continue to stand with Egypt as it confronts the threat from terrorism.

"The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack on a security convoy in Egypt today that left at least 18 dead and others injured. We express our profound condolences to the families and friends of the victims and our wishes for a speedy recovery for those hurt in the attack. We will continue to stand with Egypt as it confronts the threat from terrorism," Heather Nauert said.

Islamic State jihadists ambushed a police convoy and killed 18 officers and wounded seven others in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on Monday.

Islamic State terrorists detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeting armoured vehicles of a security patrol in Arish city in North Sinai that later devolved into a gunfight between the security forces and the terrorist elements, said local media reports.

Four armoured vehicles were destroyed due to roadside bombs.

ISIL (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, also known as ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack in a brief statement carried by its Aamaq website.

Meanwhile, local media reported that a number of terrorists were also killed in fire exchange after the blast.

Egypt has been fighting against a wave of terror activities that killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since the military toppled former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

A day earlier, nine suspected terrorists were killed in a shootout in Egypt's third largest city Giza, home to the legendary Great Pyramids and the Sphinx.