The Armed Forces will remain the shield that protects Egypt against different threats and challenges, Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar said on Sunday.

He further praised sacrifices made by the army and police personnel during the recent security confrontations with terrorist groups in Sinai.

Such sacrifices reflect determination of Egypt's servicemen to uproot terrorism, he said while visiting the army personal, who were injured in clashes with terrorist groups in Sinai earlier, at hospital.

He wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Up to 17 soldiers were killed and dozens others wounded in terrorist attacks on five security checkpoints in North Sinai Wednesday.