4 Americans among 6 peacekeepers wounded in Egypt bombings 

Militants have repeatedly attacked the Sinai Peninsula in recent months with car bombs and other attacks (AFP) 

Friday 4 September 2015
Roadside bombings come as US reviews its strategy in Sinai and reportedly considers bringing US troops home 

Six international peacekeepers, including four Americans, were wounded on Thursday in two roadside bombings in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula where Islamic State group militants are active, Egyptian and US security officials said.

The attack comes as the Obama administration, concerned that forces in the area are not armed to take on the Islamic State group, has been conducting an "interagency review" of the country's strategy in the Sinai, Army Times reports. Around 750 US soldiers are deployed to the Sinai Peninsula.

The peacekeepers, part of a force that monitors a 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, are based in the north of the peninsula, where IS militants have killed scores of soldiers in attacks.

The wounded soldiers were taken by air to a medical facility for treatment, US Defence Department spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said in a statement.

There was no immediate word on the nationalities of the other two peacekeepers. Twelve countries contribute troops to the mission, including Australia, Britain and Canada, as well as the US.

Egyptian security officials said the peacekeepers were hit by a roadside bomb planted on a road leading from their base.

The officials said IS militants had placed bombs there aimed at passing Egyptian troops.

In recent months, the Sinai Peninsula has seen an escalation in militant attacks that have been ongoing since the military overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Davis said the United States was "committed to taking the necessary steps" to protect its forces and "supporting the treaty of peace between Israel and Egypt".

However, officials who were not authorised to speak publicly, told the Associated Press that during Obama's review, one option considered has been bringing US troops home.