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| At least 36 killed in Egypt church bombings, ISIS claims responsibility | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has claimed responsibility for two Egyptian church bombings, Reuters reports, citing Amaq news agency, which is affiliated with the terrorist group. | Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has claimed responsibility for two Egyptian church bombings, Reuters reports, citing Amaq news agency, which is affiliated with the terrorist group. |
| The terrorist organization said that an IS-affiliated group was responsible for the attacks in Tanta and Alexandria. | The terrorist organization said that an IS-affiliated group was responsible for the attacks in Tanta and Alexandria. |
| First, there was a huge blast in the Coptic church in Tanta, with at least 25 killed and another 78 wounded in the explosion, according to the country’s health ministry. | First, there was a huge blast in the Coptic church in Tanta, with at least 25 killed and another 78 wounded in the explosion, according to the country’s health ministry. |
| The bomb was reportedly planted beforehand in the prayer hall. | The bomb was reportedly planted beforehand in the prayer hall. |
| The second attack came just hours later, rocking the Coptic Christian Cathedral in Alexandria, leaving 11 people dead and 40 injured. | The second attack came just hours later, rocking the Coptic Christian Cathedral in Alexandria, leaving 11 people dead and 40 injured. |
| Both attacks come on Palm Sunday, which celebrates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. | Both attacks come on Palm Sunday, which celebrates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. |
| A few days ago, the town of Tanta was in fact targeted in an attack, when 16 people were wounded in a police training center bombing. | |
| The attacks come ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to Egypt at the end of April. | |
| Dr. Said Sadiq, professor of political sociology, told RT that the timing of the attacks couldn’t be more suspicious. | |
| “I talked to some people [after the attacks], and they were all criticizing the terrorists and were wondering why this happened at this time: when tourism in Egypt is improving, when the country is stabilizing, there is international support of Sisi’s regime. So, whoever is doing this [the bombings] is standing behind terrorism. It’s simple to say that they are terrorists, but who is behind the terrorists? This is the issue.” | |
| There has been heightened security in Egypt, freelance reporter Jacob Wirtschafter told RT, but “the problem is we’ve got 10 million Christians and hundreds of churches, there’s no way to secure them all from a would-be suicide bomber.” |