Islamic State Affiliate Claims It Destroyed Egyptian Navy Ship

This ain't good.

CAIRO—Militants loyal to Islamic State claimed on Thursday that they used a guided rocket to destroy an Egyptian Navy vessel, capping a recent escalation in the frequency and sophistication of insurgent attacks in Egypt during Ramadan.
These images were posted on a militant social media account affiliated with the Sinai branch of Islamic State Thursday. The branch, called Sinai Province, claims the images show a rocket attack it carried out on an Egyptian Navy vessel near the North Sinai town of Rafah. The Egyptian military didn’t immediately comment on the claim. ENLARGE
These images were posted on a militant social media account affiliated with the Sinai branch of Islamic State Thursday. The branch, called Sinai Province, claims the images show a rocket attack it carried out on an Egyptian Navy vessel near the North Sinai town of Rafah. The Egyptian military didn’t immediately comment on the claim. Photo: Associated Press

The Egyptian military earlier in the day said in a statement that the frigate had been pursuing fighters on the coast near the North Sinai town of Rafah and had caught fire during the exchange of gunfire. The statement said there were no deaths associated with the incident.

But hours later, Sinai Province, a local affiliate of Islamic State operating out of the restive North Sinai peninsula, released a series of photos that appear to show a rocket flying toward the vessel and making impact, causing a large explosion.

In a statement released with the photos, the group claims the rocket destroyed the ship and killed everyone on board, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist activity on social media.

The Egyptian military didn’t immediately comment on the claim by Sinai Province.