9 Dead as ISIS Claims Deadly Egypt Terror Attack
PHOTO: Security forces on scene of terror attack on Coptic church near Cairo.
The Islamic State (also known as the terror group ISIS) has just claimed responsibility for what appears to have been two terror attacks south of the city of Cairo. Officials state deaths were reported at both locations with the deadliest being at a Coptic Christian Church nearby to the scene of a small store attacked first.
Initial reports confirmed that two attackers entered a small appliance store and shot numerous citizens inside. At least two brothers had died in the store before both gunmen fled to the nearby Coptic church and attempted to attack.
"They failed to get past the church's primary security levels" police confirmed in a statement that clarified the attackers had attempted to penetrate into the apparently packed church. At least 7 people died though, one of which was a police officer.
There was slight contradiction between Egyptian officials and state media reports on the terror attack. One of them claims 9 people died in total with 3 injuries and one attacker that was killed by police. Another claims 12 people died with at least 3 hurt and two attackers; one killed by police and one arrested nearby.
The Initial report stated that 12 fatalities had been reported. 3 people had been sent to nearby hospitals. At least two attackers had been involved. One of them layed dead after being shot by security forces. Another escaped in a red car, but was then later sought and arrested/captivated by Egyptian police near Cairo.
Official statements from the Islamic State terror group appeared to back up the initial report of multiple attackers saying their 'soldiers' conducted the attack. A video provided of the aftermath of the attack also backed the initial report, showing what apparently seems to be the second attacker fleeing in his vehicle as one lays dead.
The attack comes as Egypt deployed numerous security forces in time for the New Year celebrations coming up this weekend. Increased security at numerous Christian locations in time for the recent Christmas holiday had also been met with deployments for January 7th, 2018 - called 'Coptic Christmas'.
Holiday terror attacks this year have spiked with failed attacks in New York, San Francisco, England, Australia, Russia and successful attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Russia, New York and quite a number of others.
On Christmas day, a terror attack in Afghanistan left six people killed. In St Petersburg, Russia an explosion called a 'terror attack' by Russian President Vladimir Putin had sent up to ten people to the hospitals. A pre-Christmas attack in New York left at least 5 people injured in a metro explosion. Another pre-Christmas attack at a church in Pakistan left at least 9 people dead.