Update: Violent attacks continue in Arish

In the latest episode of violent attacks that occurred on Thursday, 22-year-old Armed Forces officer Ahmed Mohamed was shot in the shoulder  in the late afternoon by an unknown gunman in Arish, reported the privately owned newspaper Al-Shorouk.

He was transported to the Arish Military Hospital to receive treatment. Security forces are reportedly searching nearby buildings for the suspect.

Al-Reesa checkpoint in the Sinai city of Arish was also ambushed earlier in the day, reported privately owned newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm (AMAY).

The attackers allegedly exchanged gunfire with police and army personnel, but no casualties were reported.

The strategically located checkpoint has been attacked 47 times since the January 25 revolution, with the most recent attack occurring on August 20, according to AMAY. Attacks targeting police stations, military checkpoints and other government establishments have intensified in Sinai, particularly following the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi on July 3.

Also in Arish on Thursday, AMAY reported that a military bulldozer hit a landmine, triggering a major explosion. Security forces are currently searching for suspects who placed the bomb.

A medical source in Arish Hospital told AMAY that a young man was shot dead by unknown assailants near Qareea village. He was reportedly shot in the head, neck and chest.

On Thursday morning, an Armed Forces officer was killed oin an attack at a checkpoint in the Ezz Eddin district of Ismailia, reported the state-run news site Egynews.

Two assailants reportedly opened fire on the checkpoint. The officer was shot in the neck and allegedly died immediately, said Egynews.

Security sources are currently searching for the assailants, who reportedly fled the scene after the attack.

These incidents of violence occurred in the context of a bombing on the minister of interior’s convoy in Cairo Thursday morning, injuring at least 22 as of late Thursday afternoon, according to officials from the Health Ministry. The minister was unharmed.