Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced a three-month state of emergency following twin church bombings by the Islamic State group that killed dozens on Palm Sunday, the deadliest attacks on the minority in recent memory.
The attacks in the Nile Delta cities of Tanta and Alexandria followed a Cairo church bombing in December and came weeks before a planned visit by Catholic Pope Francis intended to show support for Egypt’s Christian minority.
Sisi declared the “three-month” state of emergency, which he must present to parliament within a week, during a defiant speech warning that the war against the militants “will be long and painful”.
The first bombing at the Mar Girgis church in Tanta city north of Cairo killed 27 people, the health ministry said.
Emergency services had scrambled to the scene when another blast rocked St. Mark’s church in Alexandria where Coptic Pope Tawadros II had been leading a Palm Sunday service.
Seventeen people including at least four police officers were killed in that attack, which the interior ministry said was caused by a suicide bomber who blew himself up when prevented from entering the church.
At least 78 people were wounded in Tanta and 40 in Alexandria.
US President Donald Trump led international condemnation of yesterday’s attacks.
“So sad to hear of the terrorist attack in Egypt. US strongly condemns. I have great confidence that President al-Sisi will handle situation properly.”
UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed the hope that the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice after a Security Council statement condemned the bombings as “heinous” and “cowardly”.
The Cairo-based Al-Azhar, an influential Sunni Muslim authority, said the attacks aimed to “destabilise security and the unity of Egyptians”.
Emir condemns terrorist act
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on the victims of the two criminal explosions that took place in Mar Girgis Church in Tanta and in St. Mark Church in Alexandria, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
HH the Emir expressed his strong condemnation of this terrorist act which targeted places of worship and innocent people, stressing the State of Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also sent a cable of condolences to Egyptian Prime Minister Eng Sharif Ismail on the victims of the explosions.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry expressed Qatar’s strong condemnation of the explosions. In a statement the ministry said attacking religious sites desecrates their sanctity.
The statement also condemned the re-occurrence of such actions in Egypt, describing it as a horrible crime. It reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of the motives and reasons.
Blood staining one of the columns of the Mar Girgis church in Tanta at which a bomb blast struck worshippers gathering to attend the Palm Sunday mass.ndemned the re-occurrence of such actions in Egypt, describing it as a horrible crime. It reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of the motives and reasons.
