A group linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State organisation has claimed it carried out attacks in Egypt’s Sinai region which killed five members of the security forces on Saturday.<br /><br /> Several mortar rounds hit two military checkpoints near the northern town of Sheikh Zuweid.<br /><br /> North Sinai is the epicentre of an insurgency by militants supporting ISIL.<br /><br /> Its Egyptian affiliate, known as Sinai Province, says it attacked an Egyptian naval vessel in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday.<br /><br /> The group claimed it fired a missile that struck the ship.<br /><br /> Egypt’s military said one of its vessels caught fire following clashes with jihadists, but said no-one was injured.<br /><br /> The jihadist group has killed hundreds of soldiers and police since the overthrow of Islamist President Mohammad Mursi two years ago.
