CAIRO, March 24 (Aswat Masriya) Egyptian authorities arrested 26 terrorists and criminals in security operations across the country on Monday, Egypt's army spokesman Ahmed Aly said. 

Aly added in an official statement earlier that 21 suspects were arrested in security operations in northern Sinai alone.

He added that the authorities also confiscated arms and vehicles that were being prepped for use in terrorist activities. 

Fourteen tunnels into Rafah were also demolished earlier today, the spokesman added. 

Egypt has stepped up security efforts since the ouster of President Mohamed Mursi last year in response to increasing attacks against security personnel.