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Clashes between Egypt troops and gunmen in Sinai, 1 killed

Associated Press
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An Egyptian Army vehicle with a tank heads to the closed Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza strip, in Sheikh Zuweyid, northern Sinai, Egypt, Monday, May 20, 2013. Security officials said 17 military and more than 20 police armored vehicles were deployed in northern Sinai Monday as a response to the kidnapping by suspected militants of six policemen and a border guard there last Thursday. It was not clear if they deployed to rescue the hostages, to make a show of force to intimidate their captors, or for another reason. (AP Photo/Roger Anis, El Shorouk Newspaper) EGYPT OUT (The Associated Press)

An Egyptian Army vehicle with a tank heads to Rafah near the border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza strip, in Sheikh Zuweyid, northern Sinai, Egypt, Monday, May 20, 2013. Security officials said 17 military and more than 20 police armored vehicles were deployed in northern Sinai Monday as a response to the kidnapping by suspected militants of six policemen and a border guard there last Thursday. It was not clear if they deployed to rescue the hostages, to make a show of force to intimidate their captors, or for another reason. (AP Photo/Roger Anis, El Shorouk Newspaper) EGYPT OUT (The Associated Press)

Egyptian security officials say police and military forces have clashed with armed tribesmen in a north Sinai village by the border with Israel, leaving one gunman dead.

Egypt's government has built up security forces in northern Sinai as part of an effort to secure the release of six policemen and a border guard kidnapped last week by suspected militants.

The clashes Tuesday came when troops and police, backed by helicopter gunships, were conducting a sweep through a number of villages along the border with Israel. The officials said the forces came under fire from gunmen in vehicles, triggering the clashes.

One official said three of the gunmen were arrested. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.