Captured Egyptian Police and Border Guards Released; Firefight at Sinai Base

The six Egyptian policemen and one soldier kidnapped by Islamist terrorists last week were released unharmed on Wednesday according to the Egyptian army. The release, which took place south of Rafah near the border with Israel, was brokered by Bedouin tribal leaders. The seven had been taken captive to use as bargaining chips to negotiate the release of cohorts who were arrested for participating in 2011 terror attacks that killed seven. The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has been closed since the kidnapping by guards and soldiers stationed there who demanded the government act quickly to free their comrades. It was reopened on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, an Egyptian army base in the area was attacked by Islamist gunmen. No injuries were reported in the gun battle that lasted about 15 minutes.