Egyptian helicopters and tanks are attacking Islamic militants in villages in the northern Sinai Peninsula, military sources say.
"Dozens" are said to have been killed or wounded.
The Saturday assault came after Egypt deployed a column of armoured vehicles and trucks carrying infantry into the region, a militant stronghold, in a major new counterinsurgency offensive, an official told the Associated Press.
He said columns of smoke could be seen rising from several villages near the towns of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweyid on the border with the Gaza Strip and Israel.
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to media.
Multiple al-Qaeda-inspired militant groups have stepped up attacks against security forces in the Sinai since the ouster of Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi on July 3.
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