Egyptian helicopter strike kills 12 militants

Egyptian helicopters have fired on a meeting of suspected militants in the Sinai Peninsula, killing at least 12 people as authorities stepped up their attacks following an Israeli drone strike in the region.

The helicopter attack came as Egyptian and Israeli officials tried to downplay the drone strike on Friday in the largely lawless Sinai, fearing popular criticism in a country already in turmoil after last month’s military coup that ousted President Mohammed Morsi.