Egyptian tribes pledge to battle Islamist militant groups

ISMAILIA (Reuters) - Thirty Egyptian tribes based in the Sinai said on Sunday they would confront militant groups including an Islamic State affiliate that has killed hundreds of soldiers and police, in a boost to Egypt's efforts to improve security. The Sinai Tribal Federation said in a statement that it had held its first meeting on Sunday to discuss ways to tackle militants seeking to topple the U.S.-backed Cairo government. (Reporting by Yusri Mohamed; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Kevin Liffey)