Cairo: Egyptian forces hit a terrorist training camp Friday in retaliation for an attack on a bus carrying Coptic Christians that killed at least 28 people, President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi said.
In a televised address to Egyptians, the former army chief said: “Before we spoke to you today, we launched a strike against one of the camps” where terrorists train. “Egypt will not hesitate in striking terror camps anywhere, either inside [the country] or outside it,” Al Sissi added.
“We will protect our people and Egypt’s national security from evil,” Al Sissi said in his televised address. He also addressed US President Donald Trump, saying: “You have said that your priority is to confront terrorism, and I trust you are capable of doing that.”
Earlier yesterday, masked men in three pick-up trucks attacked a bus carrying Coptic Christians on a visit to a monastery south of the Egyptian capital, killing at least 28 people, including children.
UAE condemns criminal act
The UAE has strongly condemned the terrorist attack. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in a statement, has affirmed the solidarity of the UAE with Egypt, stating that the country stood by Egypt in the face of this criminal and malicious act.
In the aftermath, police launched a massive manhunt for the assailants, state television reported.
Grand Imam of Al Azhar Shaikh Ahmad Al Tayyib called the attack “terrorist” and urged Egypt’s Muslims and Christians to be united.
The attack is the latest targeting Egypt’s Christian minority. Last month, 48 people were killed in suicide attacks on two churches on Palm Sunday in Egypt. Daesh claimed responsibility for the assaults and vowed more attacks.
— With inputs from AFP & WAM
Earlier report
Cairo: At least 26 people were killed and 25 injured on Friday in an attack on a bus carrying Christians in south Egypt, the Health Ministry said.
Unknown gunmen opened fire at the bus on a desert road in the province of Minya, police said.
The victims were on their way to to a monastery in Minya early Friday when gunmen driving in three cars opened fire at the bus, police added.
Semi-official newspaper Al Ahram, citing an unnamed church official, said the majority of the bus passengers were children.
“What I know that all the children on board were killed except three,” the official told the paper.
There was no claim of responsibility for the attack.
In the aftermath of the attack, police launched a massive manhunt for the assailants, state television reported.
A security cordon was imposed on the area in search of the perpetrators of the attack, the broadcaster added.
Grand Imam of Al Azhar Shaikh Ahmad Al Tayyab termed the attack an act of terrorism and urged Egypt’s Muslims and Christians to be united.
“This incident aims at striking at Egypt’s stability,” Al Tayyab said in Germany where he is currently on a visit.
“I call on Egyptians to join hands against this wanton terrorism,” the prominent cleric added in a statement.
Friday’s attack is the latest targeting Egypt’s Christian minority.
Last month, 48 people were killed in suicide attacks on two churches on Palm Sunday in Egypt.
Daesh claimed responsibility for the attacks on churches and vowed more attacks on the country’s Christians.
Following the April 9 bombings, Egypt declared a state of emergency for three months.
Christians account for around 10 per cent of Egypt’s mostly Muslim 93 million people.
