Egypt has launched a second round of air stirkes over Libya in retaliation for Friday’s attack on a bus carrying Coptic Christians near Cairo. Saturday’s bombing raid targeted militant training camps which the Egyptian authorities claim were used by the gunmen.
ISIL extremists have claimed responsibility for the shootings. President Abdel Fattah al Sisi has promised to “protect his people from the evil”.
The air strikes have gone down well with residents in the capital
“The aim of the terrorists is to split Egypt into two countries, one Christian, and another Muslim. These people are atheist and we are the believers of God. This is not right,” said one resident.
“What the Egyptian army and the Egyptian Air force did was so great, a fast reaction. That would give people some relief,” another resident remarked.
Funerals for some of the 29 victims of Friday’s shootings have taken place. It was the latest attack against Egypt’s embattled Christian minority. Last month two church bombings killed more than 45. also claimed by self-styled Islamic State.