Egyptian forces said their offensive involved clashes with Islamic militants in desert areas outside the city of el-Arish CAIRO: Egyptian security forces say they’ve killed 14 militants and seized a ton of explosives in an operation in the restive northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. They said on Sunday that their offensive involved clashes with Islamic militants in desert areas outside the city of el-Arish, adding that the extremists had intended to plant roadside bombs in areas between there and the cities of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweyid. Other weapons caches including explosives were found in the more central Sinai Jabal Al-Halal mountain area. The officials spoke anonymously as they weren’t authorized to brief reporters. The army has been battling extremist insurgents led Daesh militants in north Sinai for years. The area is off limits for journalists, diplomats and other observers so information from there cannot be independently verified.