Egypts military has said seven troops have been killed so far in the wide-ranging security operation launched this month against militants in the restive northern Sinai Peninsula and other areas. The militarys spokesman, Tamer al-Rifai, said at a press conference aired Thursday on state television that six soldiers have been wounded during Operation Sinai 2018, which began Feb. 9. He said 71 militants have been killed and five arrested. Troops also arrested 1,852 others, including "criminal elements" and people suspected of supporting militants, many of whom have since been released. The operation covers north and central Sinai and parts of Egypts Nile Delta and the Western Desert, along the porous border with Libya.