Egyptian security forces killed 11 terrorist elements in northern Sinai, said the Interior Ministry on Tuesday. In a statement, it said it had received information about insurgents hiding at a farm in the city of el-Arish. While police forces were hunting the militants, a shootout ensued and the militants were killed. It said they had in their possession seven rifles, two explosive devices and an explosive belt. According to intelligence from the national security department, the militants used the hideout as "a base to launch their hostile operations," it added. Egypt has for years been fighting an insurgency in North Sinai, which escalated following the 2013 ouster of president Mohamed Morsi following mass protests. Since then, hundreds of police officers and soldiers have been killed in extremist attacks. In February 2018, the army launched a nationwide operation against the militants, focusing mainly on North Sinai.