The Egyptian regime has declared a state of emergency in parts of North Sinai after at least 31 soldiers and security personnel were killed in two separate attacks on Friday.

At least 28 soldiers were killed and 30 injured when a car bomb exploded at a security checkpoint in the town of Sheikh Zuweid, close to the border with Gaza.

Hours later three security personal died when militants opened fire at a checkpoint in nearby Al-Arish.

The attacks are the deadliest in the region in more than two years, amid continued unrest and attacks between insurgents and security forces with hundreds of casualties.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Friday’s bombing and shooting; however, the Islamist faction Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis has carried out similar operations in the Sinai Peninsula and in Cairo.

President El-Sisi declared a state of emergency in the area, lasting three months, after meeting with the National Defence Council for several hours.

The state of emergency will include a daily curfew from 5 pm to 7 am.

Egyptian authorities also closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza.