Cairo: The local affiliate of the Islamic State group in Egypt's restive northern Sinai Peninsula today said its fighters have killed and wounded 20 Egyptian soldiers in four days of fighting south of the city of el-Arish.

In a statement posted on a pro-Islamic State group website, the group said the fighting also resulted in the destruction of two M60 tanks, one Humvee and two other military vehicles.

Security forces have been battling IS-led militants in Sinai for years, but the insurgency has grown deadlier and more widespread over the last three years. Security forces recently intensified their combing operations against the militants and their hideouts in the desert area.

Last week, the Egyptian army said five soldiers were killed in Sinai by the "enemies of the nation.