5 Egyptian Soldiers Shot Dead in Cairo

Local Editor

Gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint in Cairo Saturday, killing five Egyptian soldiers, state television reported.

The attack comes two days after gunmen attacked a military bus in the capital, killing a soldier. Militants have launched scores of attacks, mainly targeting security forces, since the military overthrew Brotherhood President Mohamed Mursi in July.

Most of the attacks have taken place in the restive Sinai Peninsula, but in recent months militants have expanded their reach to the Nile Delta and the capital.

The government has blamed much of the violence on Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood, which renounced violence decades ago and has denied any involvement.
The most prominent attacks, including a car bombing at a police headquarters in Cairo and the downing of a military helicopter in Sinai, have been claimed by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, a Sinai-based movement.

The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for a government crackdown on Mursi's supporters.

But his year in power bitterly polarized Egyptians, and last summer the military ousted him amid massive street protests demanding his overthrow.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team