The President of the United States Condemns the Killing of Christians in Egypt

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, condemned the killing of Egyptian Christians in a statement on Friday, calling for punishment for their killers. Meanwhile, Egyptian fighter jets have targeted "terrorist camps" in retaliation for the attack. A minibus carrying Christian pilgrims was attacked by armed individuals near Cairo on Friday, resulting in at least 28 deaths and several injuries. According to the White House, Trump stated in response to the massacre: "Terrorists are at war with civilization, and it is now up to us and all those who value life to confront and defeat these evildoers." The U.S. President added that the massacre of Christians in Egypt strengthens our resolve to unite among nations in the fight to eradicate these evil terrorist organizations and exposes their corrupt and criminal ideologies. Trump emphasized that the U.S. clearly and unequivocally tells its friends, allies, and partners that the historic and valuable communities of Christians must be defended and protected. The bloodshed of Christians must stop, and those who have aided in the killing of Christians must be punished. Reuters also reported that Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt, ordered an attack on "terrorist bases" on Friday. According to this report, Egyptian fighter jets targeted bases of extremist Islamist groups in eastern Libya. A military source told Reuters that Egyptian jets conducted at least six strikes near the city of Derna in Libya, resulting in at least 29 deaths and 24 injuries. Meanwhile, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in a television program, urged Donald Trump to prioritize the global fight against terrorism. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. The massacre of Egyptian Christians has sparked a wave of international condemnation. Pope Francis, the leader of the world's Catholics, expressed condolences to the families of the victims of this attack. According to Reuters, Coptic Christians make up 10% of Egypt's 92 million population. This religious minority has faced deadly attacks in recent months, including in April when the Islamic State group bombed their churches, killing dozens. In this context, the death toll from the attack on the minibus carrying Egyptian Christians reached 28, and two explosions in two churches in Egypt left dozens dead and injured. Sisi stated that the church explosion was terrorist and suicide-related, with dozens dead and injured in the explosion at the Coptic church in Cairo.