Col. Ahmed Mohammed Ali asserted on Saturday that the airstrikes targeted hideouts of "terrorist, extremely dangerous takfiri" militants late Friday in the eastern border town of Sheikh Zuweyid.

He described the targeted militants as affiliated with what he referred to as "terrorist" Brotherhood group.

It was the fourth such airstrike with a high death toll since militants downed a military helicopter in a nearby area on Jan. 24, killing all its crew members.

The military has been waging a wide offensive against Sinai militants. The area has been a hotbed for attacks on the military since the ouster of President Mohammad Morsi in July.

In December 2013, Egypt's military-installed government declared the Muslim Brotherhood of ousted president Morsi a "terrorist" group, banning all its activities, including demonstrations.

Egypt has stepped up pressure on the Muslim Brotherhood after declaring it a terrorist group, using the new classification to detain dozens of its supporters.

RA/MB