Egypt's Security Forces Kill 7 Jihadis Suspected To Be Planning More Attacks on Christians
Shortly after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared a state of emergency and launched a crackdown on extremists, several suspected jihadists believed to be planning more attacks on the country's Christian minority were shot down, news reports say.
According to the Egyptian government, Egyptian security forces killed seven suspected ISIS militants on Monday, the Daily Mail reported. The suspected jihadists were killed in a shootout in the province of Assuit.
Authorities named three of the men as 30-year-old Hasan Abdel-Al Siddiq, a Directorate of Health employee; 21-year-old Islam Said Abdel Salam Ismail, a law student; and 22-year-old Mustapha al-Sayyed Muhammad Dhahr.
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They, along with the other four, were in a remote desert compound before the shooting happened. A statement from Egypt's Interior Ministry said members of the security services were approaching the jihadists when the latter shot at them. The security forces returned fire, taking down the seven men.
Photos of the compound reveal machine guns, AK47 rifles, belts and magazines of ammunition, and a motorbike. Other items found in the compound included pads containing written details of the group's attack plans, and some notes on the power structure of the so-called Islamic State.
The notes are reported to reveal that the jihadists were planning to attack several targets, including a Christian monastery in Durunka, Christians in the Assuit and Sohag provinces, police officers, and government buildings.
President El-Sisi, who has promised to protect religious minorities being persecuted by extremists, praised the actions of the security forces while accusing jihadis of dividing Egypt by attacking minorities.
Hard times for Egypt's Copts
The encounter came after the Egyptian president's declaration of a state of emergency following deadly attacks on Copts on Palm Sunday.
Two churches were bombed during their Palm Sunday services, killing dozens of people. Extremists were able to enter St. Mark's Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria and St. George's Church in Tanta, bypassing security measures, and set off bombs and killed worshippers inside.
Suicide bombers Abu Al-Baraa Al-Masri and Abu Ishaaq Al-Masri are believed to have received training from jihadists, the Telegraph reported.
With the incident, people are now worried about their safety, saying there is "no security protection." Coptic churches in southern Egypt have decided to commemorate Easter "without any festive manifestations" in light of the recent events, Ahram Online reported.
