Islamists launched a series of attacks early Friday against Egyptian security forces stationed in the Sinai Peninsula. Though there have been no claims of responsibility, the timing and nature of the attacks has deepening fears that supporters of former Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi would respond to his removal from power by escalating violence in the increasingly anarchic territory.

One soldier was killed and two more were wounded in an attack on a police station near the Rafah area, along the border between the Egypt and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Egypt responded by shutting down the crossing until further notice.

The army has taken similar steps in the past after attacks, both as routine security measures and to punish Hamas, which it blames for maintaining the tunnels that permit jihadists to move materials and personelle from the Gaza Strip into the Sinai. At least four other security checkpoints in the area have been attacked since early Friday morning

Egyptian state media also reported that Islamist gunmen also attacked the El Arish airport in the region.

[Photo: Prince Roy / Flickr]