egypt-church-bombing

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has claimed responsibility for the twin bombings that rocked Coptic churches in Egypt, killing 44 people and leaving several others seriously injured.

The group, in a statement released through its self-styled Amaq News Agency published on social media accounts, claims its squads carried out both attacks.

The attack, described as the deadliest attacks on the Coptic Christian minority in recent times, is coming weeks ahead of the scheduled visit of Pope Francis which is intended to show support for the country’s Christian minority.

According to the Egyptian health ministry, the first bombing which targeted the Mar Girgis church in the city of Tanta, north of Cairo, killed 27 people and injured 78 others while the second which killed 11 people and wounded 40 peopleSS rocked the Saint Mark’s church in Alexandria where Coptic Pope, Tawadros II, was leading a palm Sunday service.

Announcing a 3-month state of emergency, the Egyptian government  condemned the attacks, saying it was a calculated attempt to sow a seed of discord amongst the different religious groups in the country.