At least 18 soldiers were wounded on Sunday morning when a bomb explosion went on in Egypt’s troubled Sinai Peninsula.

At least 18 soldiers were wounded on Sunday morning when a bomb explosion went on in Egypt’s troubled Sinai Peninsula.

The incident happened when a vehicle carrying the Egyptian troops hit a roadside bomb in the Kholafaa area of the city of el-Arish in the North Sinai province, Egyp’s al-Youm al-Sabea daily reported.

Medical sources at el-Arish military hospital said they have received the wounded soldiers for treatment, adding that their injuries are not fatal.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing but it bears the hallmark of militants affiliated to the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group.

The new attack came as Egypt has extended by three months a state of emergency in the north of the Sinai Peninsula amid surging violence fueled by militants in the volatile region.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab announced the decision in a written decree on Saturday, saying the measure will start on Sunday in the town of Sheikh Zuweid as well as the cities of Rafah and el-Arish along with their surrounding areas, which are all situated in the North Sinai province.

The measure also extends a night-time curfew in the aforesaid places, the Egyptian premier added.