IS Warns of Further Attack Against Christians in Egypt

The so-called Islamic State (IS) group’s leader in Egypt has warned Muslims to stay away from Christian gatherings as well as government, military and police facilities, suggesting that the militant group will keep up attacks on what he referred to as “legitimate targets.”

In an interview published last week in IS’ Al Naba weekly newspaper published on Telegram, the leader, who was not named, stated “we are warning you to stay away from Christian gathering, as well as the gatherings of the army and the police, and the areas that have political government facilities.”

Islamic militants have increasingly targeted religious minorities, a challenge to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s, who has promised to protect them from extremism. Last month, two IS suicide bombers killed at least 45 people at churches in the cities of Alexandria and Tanta, one of the bloodiest attacks the country has experienced in years. IS has also been turning its sights on targets outside its base in the Sinai and has recently been putting more pressure on the Egyptian government and has presented additional challenges for security services.