CAIRO, Sept 18 (Aswat Masriya) – North Sinai security forces killed nine militants on the twelfth day of the “martyr’s right” operation conducted in the towns of Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid, a military spokesman said on Friday.

A total of 88 suspects were arrested on the same day, he added.

Throughout the duration of the operation a total of 447 militants were killed, according to previous statements by the military spokesman.

Egypt is battling an insurgency in North Sinai that peaked following the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.