Azhar condemns north Sinai militants attack

Al Azhar condemned on Sunday the terrorist attack that targeted an army checkpoint in North Sinai Saturday, killing three servicemen and wounding six others.

In a statement released on Sunday, Azhar called for intensifying regional and international efforts to firmly uproot terrorism which has become a world phenomenon.

Islam has nothing to do with such terrorist acts, which have recently hit many countries, the statement read.

It further called for cutting off financial aid to terrorist groups.

The Armed Forces and police are capable of protecting the Egyptian people against this imminent danger, the statement said.

Army Spokesman Brig. Mohamed Samir said Saturday three soldiers were killed when a stray shell landed near a checkpoint in Sheikh Zuwaid, North Sinai.

Samir added two four-wheel pickups were damaged and a number of terrorists were killed.

The army, in coordination with police, is intensifying operations in the Sinai Peninsula to uproot terrorism in Egypt.