CAIRO – Ten people were killed in violence across Egypt on Wednesday, March 19, months ahead of a presidential vote after last July’s army takeover.

In Qalubiya province, north of Cairo, two soldiers were killed in a shootout with Islamist militants, the Interior Ministry said, adding that six militants were killed and eight arrested in a raid on a weapons storage facility.

A 13-year-old boy was shot dead in southern Egypt and one man was killed in Cairo, both in clashes between police and supporters of deposed elected President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, the health ministry said.

Violence, which has dogged Egypt since a popular uprising toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011, is expected to intensify as the country prepares for a presidential vote that army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to win easily.

The Interior Ministry said the two soldiers were killed in a raid on members of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, Egypt’s most active militant group.

The Sinai-based group has claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks, including an assassination attempt on the interior minister last year.

A health official said a 13-year-old boy was shot dead in clashes between police and pro-Morsi protesters in the city of Beni Suef, south of Cairo. The Interior Ministry said 12 protesters were arrested.

Demonstrations also took place in several places in the capital. Medical sources said around 40 pro-Morsi demonstrators were wounded by birdshot or tear gas near Cairo University.