Islamist militants attack Egypt security headquarters in Sinai.

Islamist militants attack Egypt security headquarters in Sinai.(AA).Islamist militants attacked the Egyptian government security headquarters in Northern Sinai on Sunday with a barrage of mortar bombs and machineguns, wounding three conscripts, security officials said. The militants had climbed onto the roofs of buildings across from the headquarters building and fired rocket-propelled grenades, one security source said. Machinegun battles were still being fought around the building, witnesses said. About 30 armored personnel carriers backed by helicopters fought militants in the town of Sheikh Zuwaid, 30 km (18.6 miles) east of al-Arish on the Mediterranean coast. Egyptian forces last month began their biggest security sweep in decades in Sinai after militants killed 16 border guards on Aug. 5 in the most deadly attack since Egypt’s 1973 war with Israel. The government sent hundreds of troops with tanks, armored vehicles and helicopters to Sinai in a joint operation with police to raid militant hideouts, arrest suspects and seize weapons. Disorder has spread in Sinai since Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising, with Islamist militants stepping up attacks on Egyptian security forces and the Israeli border. Egypt’s new president, Mohammed Mursi, has vowed to restore order.Read the full story here.