Two Egyptian soldiers dead in clash with militants in northern Sinai

CAIRO, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Two Egyptian soldiers have been killed and eight wounded in a clash with Islamic extremists in a town in North Sinai, officials say.

The fighting in Sheikh Zuweid also injured civilians, including a 20-year-old woman, Al-Ahram reported Friday.

Violence by Islamic militants in the region has increased since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi in July. Dozens of police and military forces had died in ongoing attacks.