Britain condemns attacks on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula

Britain on Wednesday condemned the attacks in north Sinai of Egypt, which killed at least 50 soldiers.

Suspected Islamic militants on Wednesday launched a wave of coordinated attacks on Egyptian army checkpoints in the restive north of Sinai Peninsula, Egyptian security and military officials said.

"I condemn the deplorable terrorist attacks in North Sinai today that have resulted in the deaths of so many Egyptian soldiers," British Minister for Middle East and North Africa Tobias Ellwood said in a statement.

"My thoughts are with the families of all those affected. The UK stands firm with the Egyptian people in their fight against the threat of terrorism," he continued.

Northern Sinai has experienced escalated anti-security attacks by Islamist militants following the ouster of the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by the army, in response to mass protests against his rule.

Wednesday's attacks came two days after the assassination of the country's top prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, and one day after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi vowed retaliation and pledged tougher laws in dealing with terrorists.