A tragedy has occurred in Egypt, leaving at least two-hundred and thirty five civilians dead. As reported by CNN, militants enacted a coordinated attack on an Egyptian Mosque located in the Sinai Peninsula, between Bir al-Abed and the city of al-Arish. The Mosque is known as being the birthplace of an influential Sufi cleric, which may hold some significance, as some sects of ultra-orthodox Muslims deem Sufism heretical. And while nobody has publicly claimed responsibility for this attack, there is an undeniable similarity to the tactics of ISIS. With the death count still rising, a recent count has the injured list at 109.
While the report remains in development, it seems as if the attack began with the coordinated bombing of an adjacent building, which hit the mosque with considerable force. When worshippers began to flee, gunmen opened fire on them, before entering the mosque themselves. Apparently, gunmen had also set up strategic "ambush points," which would target ambulances attempting to reach the scene. A twenty-seven year old man named Ashraf Abu Salem recounts entering the mosque after the massacre, and seeing the bodies of those who had attempted to flee. Overall, the massacre sounds truly horrific, and it currently stands as one of the most deadly in recent memory.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi delivered a brief statement afterward, vowing to "respond to this act with brute force against these terrorists. This terrorist act will strengthen our resolve, steadfastness and will to stand up to, resist and battle against terrorism." He proceeded to declare three days of national mourning. Currently, the Egyptian government are attempting to track down the murderers.
American President Trump reached out with a statement of support on Twitter, as did Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Stay tuned for more on this tragic story as it develops.
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