At least 11 Egyptian soldiers were killed when a car bomb planted by suspected Islamist militants exploded at a military post in North Sinai, part of an apparently coordinated wave of attacks, security sources said on Wednesday.

The attacks targeted several military posts and a police station, security sources and witnesses said.

Witnesses reported hearing explosions in Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah, and many residents left their homes fearful of grenades.

A Sinai-based insurgency has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since the Egyptian army toppled Islamist president Mohamed Mursi after mass protests against his rule in 2013.

The most active militant group in the region is Sinai Province, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

Earlier this week, Egypt’s top public prosecutor was assassinated in a car bomb attack on his convoy in Cairo, raising questions about the country’s ability to contain the insurgency.