11 killed as Egypt destroys tunnels to Gaza

CAIRO, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Three tunnels between Egypt and Gaza, used for smuggling, were destroyed in a crackdown on area militants, an Egyptian Army spokesman said Monday.

The tunnels at the border of the Sinai Peninsula, controlled by Egypt, and Gaza are used typically for smuggling weapons and other materials into Gaza. The raid by Egypt killed 11 militants and also destroyed several vehicles presumably belonging to the militants, Army spokesman Mohamed Samir said.

The Egyptian military, since the removal of pro-Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, has battled with rebels in the Sinai Peninsula. Over 1,000 people have been killed, and thousands arrested.

"Although still present, terrorism in Egypt is declining compared to last year and it needs some time to be uprooted," Gamal Salama of Egypt's Suez University told the Chinese Xinhua news agency last week.