The Egyptian military conducted airstrikes against jihadists in Bir al-Abed, west of El Arish on Friday after an attack on a mosque in Egypt's North Sinai province, The Guardian reported.

“The armed forces and the police will avenge our martyrs and restore security and stability with the utmost force,” said Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi.

He added: “We will respond with brute force to combat these terrorists and deviants ... This is an attempt to deter us from fighting terrorism and to destroy our will, but we are steadfast, and I say to all Egyptians, the battle you are fighting is the most honourable.”

The Egyptian military killed 30 ISIS militants. Vehicles used in the attack and hideouts full of weapons and ammunition were also destroyed.

Militants attacked a crowded mosque during Friday prayers, settling off explosives, spraying worshippers with gunfire. Overall,235 people had been killed and 109 more wounded as the result of the attack.  No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but since 2013 Egyptian security forces have battled a stubborn Islamic State.