Egypt has declared a state of emergency in parts of the Sinai Peninsula and closed down the border crossing into Gaza after two separate terror attacks Friday.
A car bomb blew up at an army checkpoint near the town of al-Arish. Gunmen later attacked troops at another checkpoint. The attacks killed at least 30 soldiers and wounded 25.
The U.S. State Department condemned the violence. It says a prosperous Egypt needs security and stability.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the attacks. He sent his deep condolences to the families of the dead and hopes the wounded will recover quickly.
No one has claimed responsibility for violence. But Egypt's most active Islamic militant group, Soldiers of Egypt, has claimed previous attacks. They include one in Cairo earlier this month that wounded 12 people.
