Egypt: Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on Christians May 27 /update 1

Event

On Saturday, May 27, the Islamic State released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack on Christians in Minya. A bus carrying Coptic Christians was attacked by gunmen near the city of Minya around noon (local time) on Friday, May 26. At least 29 people were killed as the bus was traveling towards the St. Samuel Coptic Orthodox Monastery.

Context

Egypt’s Christian community has been targeted in a number of violent attacks in recent months, predominantly in the northern Sinai region. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi announced a three-month state of emergency in Egypt following Islamic State (IS) attacks on churches in Alexandria and Tanta, which killed 44 people on Palm Sunday, April 9.

Discrimination against Christians, who make up about 10 percent of the population, has long been a delicate subject in predominantly Muslim Egypt. Copts say they suffer social prejudice and workplace discrimination in addition to violence.

Advice

Due to the prevailing threat of terrorism, individuals throughout Egypt should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly vulnerable to an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). All travel to northern Sinai is advised against; the authorities maintain a media blackout and special security zones in the region due to the ongoing anti-terrorist campaign.