In Egypt, at least 23 soldiers were killed and 26 injured when suicide car bombs tore through two military checkpoints in North Sinai. Seccurity sources said that the two cars blew up at two checkpoints outside of a military compound just south of Rafah, on the border with the Gaza Strip. <br/><br/>In a statement Islamic State terror group said its members targeted the compound because the military is preparing to launch operations against the group from there.<br/><br/>Security sources described yesterday's attack as a coordinated strike, with car bombs blowing apart checkpoints as gunmen in four-wheel drive vehicles shot down soldiers running for cover. The military carried out a counter-attack almost immediately after, deploying fighter jets to kill over 40 terrorists suspected of involvement and destroying six of their vehicles, according to a video released by the military showing aerial footage of air strikes.<br/><br/>Separately yesterday, a homeland security officer was shot dead outside his home in Qalubiya, a province just north of Cairo, while on his way to yesterday prayers, an Interior Ministry statement said. That attack was later claimed by the Hasam Movement, a militant group that has claimed several attacks around Cairo targeting judges and policemen since last year.<br/>

In Egypt, at least 23 soldiers were killed and 26 injured when suicide car bombs tore through two military checkpoints in North Sinai. Seccurity sources said that the two cars blew up at two checkpoints outside of a military compound just south of Rafah, on the border with the Gaza Strip. <br/><br/>In a statement Islamic State terror group said its members targeted the compound because the military is preparing to launch operations against the group from there.<br/><br/>Security sources described yesterday's attack as a coordinated strike, with car bombs blowing apart checkpoints as gunmen in four-wheel drive vehicles shot down soldiers running for cover. The military carried out a counter-attack almost immediately after, deploying fighter jets to kill over 40 terrorists suspected of involvement and destroying six of their vehicles, according to a video released by the military showing aerial footage of air strikes.<br/><br/>Separately yesterday, a homeland security officer was shot dead outside his home in Qalubiya, a province just north of Cairo, while on his way to yesterday prayers, an Interior Ministry statement said. That attack was later claimed by the Hasam Movement, a militant group that has claimed several attacks around Cairo targeting judges and policemen since last year.<br/>