CAIRO, Feb 15 (Aswat Masriya) Egyptian authorities arrested 19 Muslim Brotherhood members in a security operation on Friday morning in Ismailia, Egypt’s army spokesman said.

Forces also demolished a number of hideouts that were being used by “terrorists” to store arms, the spokesman added.

Egypt has stepped up security in the Sinai Peninsula since the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July to confront increasing attacks on police and army forces.