Army forces continue their efforts to clear 20 villages in North Sinai from armed extremists and outlaws, Egypt’s army spokesman said. 

Spokesman Ahmed Mohamed Aly said in a Facebook statement that 76 extremists and outlaws were arrested in security operations on Saturday. 

Attacks on security personnel have increased in the Sinai Peninsula since the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. 

The police and army began an intensive campaign in August to capture all the outlaws and assailants and restore order to the region.