12 Egyptian soliders killed in Sinai

Suspected Islamic gunmen have killed 12 members of Egypt's security forces in Sinai province, medical and security sources say.

Suspected Islamic militants have attacked an army checkpoint in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 12 soldiers, medical and security sources say.

The officials say Friday's attack about 80km east of the Suez Canal wounded another eight soldiers. They had no word on casualties among the militants.

Egypt has for years battled militants in Sinai, but the insurgency has grown deadlier and spread into the mainland since the 2013 ouster of an elected Islamist president. The militants are now led by a local affiliate of the Islamic State group.

There has been a recent surge in attacks in Sinai, but attacks elsewhere in Egypt have declined.