235 Killed in Egypt; Sisi: We Will Take Revenge

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt, criticized the attack on a mosque in North Sinai that has so far left at least 235 dead, calling it a "criminal and cowardly act." According to the Associated Press, in a televised speech on Friday evening, December 3, he expressed condolences to the victims and their families, adding that this attack will not go unanswered and that Egypt will continue its fight against terrorism. According to France Press, Mr. el-Sisi also stated that "the Egyptian army and police will take revenge for our martyrs and will restore security and stability to the country in a short time." An eyewitness told Reuters that armed men shot at worshippers fleeing the mosque after a bomb explosion. The attack occurred during Friday prayers west of the city of al-Arish. According to the Associated Press, citing Egyptian officials, more than 100 people were injured in the attack. According to Reuters, the Egyptian army has launched air operations against targets in the mountainous areas of Bir al-Abed in the Sinai Peninsula following the attack. After the attack, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi held an emergency meeting. The Egyptian government declared three days of public mourning. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Over the past three years, Egyptian security forces have been engaged in a prolonged battle with armed groups affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) in North Sinai. Hundreds of soldiers and police officers have lost their lives in these attacks. In July of this year, 23 Egyptian soldiers were killed in suicide attacks on two checkpoints in the Sinai Peninsula, for which ISIS claimed responsibility. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, criticized what he called a horrific and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent and defenseless worshippers in Egypt, stating that "the world cannot tolerate terrorism." He emphasized the need to defeat terrorism, adding that "we must discredit extremist ideology." Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Foreign Minister, also condemned the attack on Friday in Egypt, declaring that Paris stands with the country. Additionally, Naftali Bennett, Israel's Minister of Education, expressed condolences to Egypt, stating that the time for international solidarity in the fight against terrorism has come. According to ISNA news agency, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, also strongly condemned what he called a "terrorist and brutal act" that occurred on Friday morning in al-Arish, Egypt.