CAIRO, June 2 (Aswat Masriya) - The Egyptian military killed 22 alleged "terrorists" over the past two days in Northern Sinai, as part of the third phase of the "Martyr's Right" operation, the military spokesperson said on Thursday.

The spokesperson, Mohamed Samir, said that the military forces managed, with the help of the police, to detonate four explosive devices initially targeting the armed forces.

The armed forces also arrested five people, destroyed 28 huts, and "bombed nine houses that belong to terrorists."

He added that police and military forces heightened their combing and inspection practices in various Northern Sinai neighbourhoods to make certain that they are free of any "terrorist cells" and activities.

The military is currently setting up more checkpoints and security sites to assert further control over the areas.

The first stage of the "Martyr's Right" operation was launched by security forces in response to an attack in October 2014 that killed 33 security personnel.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had declared a state of emergency in North Sinai following that attack, which has been claimed by the Islamic State-affiliate Sinai Province.

The state of emergency imposed in a number of areas in Sinai has been renewed several times since.

Last month, Egypt's parliament voted with a majority in favour of a presidential decree that extends the state of emergency in North Sinai for three months.

Egypt’s prime minister previously said that the declaration of the state of emergency in some areas in North Sinai did not eliminate militancy but helped in containing and minimising it.

North Sinai militants have stepped up attacks targeting security forces since the military ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013 after mass protests against his rule.

The Egyptian military says it has killed hundreds of “terrorists” in the context of the “Martyr’s Right” military operation according to its published statements.

The Islamic State-affiliate, Sinai Province, has frequently claimed responsibility for attacks occurring in the Sinai Peninsula.

Aswat Masriya could not independently verify the content of these statements. Anti-terrorism legislation imposes heavy fines on news organisations that contradict official statements.