Eleven Egyptian soldiers were killed in a bomb blast as they travelled through the increasingly unstable region of North Sinai.

Attacks on security forces in Egypt have been increasing since the ousting of former president Mohamed Mursi from power on 3 July and the subsequent crackdown on pro-Mursi members of the Muslim Brotherhood in August.

As yet, no group has claimed responsibility for the latest Sinai attack.

Following the attack on 20 November, the Egyptian government announced a three-day mourning period for “martyrs of the nation”, according to local press reports. The martyrs also include the 26 people killed in a train crash on 18 November.

General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi told Egyptian TV that attacks against the military and the police would only strengthen the government’s resolve to defend Egypt.

“People should know we are all ready to die in order for Egypt to stay alive,” he said, according to local press.