Palm Sunday church bombings explained

2017 Palm Sunday church bombings
Location:Tanta and Alexandria, Egypt
Target:Coptic Christians
Coordinates:30.7928°N 31.0054°W (Tanta), 31.1984°N 29.8996°W (Alexandria)
Date:9 April 2017, Palm Sunday
Type:Suicide Bombings
Partof:Insurgency in Egypt (2013–present)
Weapons:Explosive vests
Fatalities:43
Injuries:136
Numparts:3
Motive:Anti-Christian sentiment fueled by radical Islamic extremism

On Palm Sunday, 9 April 2017, twin suicide bombings took place at St. George's Church in the northern Egyptian city of Tanta on the Nile delta, and Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the principal church in Alexandria, seat of the Coptic papacy. At least 43 people were reported killed and 789 injured. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/04/09/523170444/church-explosion-in-egypt-leaves-at-least-21-dead-dozens-injured The attacks were carried out by a security detachment of ISIS.

Background

In February 2017, ISIS called for attacks on Christians,[1] [2] and during the Sinai insurgency, hundreds of Christians fled their homes in the North Sinai after a "concerted campaign of assassination and intimidation".[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] The bombings occurred under President (and former general) Abdel Fattah el-Sisi who has emphasized national security during his rule, and who recently returned from a trip to the United States to visit President Donald Trump, a trip widely regarded as successful and as a confirmation of the US administration's support for Sisi's fight against ISIS.

Bombing

On Palm Sunday, 9 April 2017, an explosive device was detonated inside St. George's Church in the Nile Delta city of Tanta. According to eyewitnesses, as they were attending the Divine Liturgy, a man in a brown jacket rapidly charged toward the altar before detonating an explosive belt. This man, Mahmoud Mohamed Ali Hussein, is believed to have been in charge of both church bombings in Tanta and Alexandria.[8] Video footage showed people assembled at the church, chanting the liturgy. The video rapidly changed to bars, as screams of terror and crying were heard in the background.[9] A preliminary report by the prosecution determined that the bomb contained TNT, as well as large amounts of metallic screws and highly flammable substances.[10]

Later at Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, historical seat of the Coptic papacy, another device exploded near the cathedral's gates. The incident occurred minutes after Pope Tawadros II left the church to follow the developments of the Tanta bombing. The pope escaped unharmed.[8] Conflicting reports emerged over the identity of the perpetrator. Egyptian television published a photo of a man who was stopped and interrogated near the entrance. The suspect reportedly detonated a suicide belt when members of the security force, assigned to this church, tried to arrest him.[11] Other camera footage, however, showed a different man trying to pass through the metal detectors at the entrance, a few seconds before the bomb went off.[12]

Casualties

The two bombings killed at least 43 people and injured hundreds more.[13] [14]

Aftermath

In Tanta, security forces sealed off all the streets leading to the church and set up emergency checkpoints, allowing bomb disposal experts to examine the church and cars parked in its surroundings for any remaining explosives. Egypt's interior minister, Magdy Abdel Ghaffar, Prosecutor-General, Nabil Sadek, and other government officials arrived at the scene shortly after the bombing. Forensic experts identified an unknown severed head as a possible suspect in the attack.[8] Tanta's residents, who were demonstrating nearby, physically assaulted Major General Hossam el-Din Khalifa, head of the Gharbia's Security Directorate. Khalifa, along with other heads of security, were dismissed later that day by Abdel Ghaffar.

Three other explosive devices were dismantled by police. Two of them were left by an unknown individual in front of Sidi Abdel Rahim Mosque in Tanta, which contains a Sufi shrine. The other was in Alexandria's Collège Saint Marc.[15] [16]

State of emergency

On the same day, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared a three-month state of emergency.[17] The attack was seen as underscoring the failure of Egypt's intelligence agencies to "anticipate a coordinated wave of attacks" and the difficulty of stopping suicide attacks, despite the "largely unfettered powers" of Sisi and his imprisonment and exiling of "thousands of political opponents".

The state of emergency declaration required approval from the Parliament of Egypt, after which Sisi would have the authority to increase the powers of the police in arrests, surveillance, and seizures.[18] The state of emergency was continuously extended every three months since its inception until October 2021.[19]

Responsibility

An online statement via the Amaq News Agency said, "A security detachment of the Islamic State carried out the attacks against the two churches in the cities of Tanta and Alexandria".[20] [21] [22] The two Egyptian suicide bombers were named Abu Ishaq Al-Masri and Abu Al-Baraa Al-Masri.[23]

The group previously said the Islamic State was responsible for the December 2016 Botroseya Church bombing at St. Peter and St. Paul's Church in Cairo, which killed 29 people and injured 47 others.[24]

Identification

On 12 April 2017, Egyptian Interior Ministry identified Mahmud Hassan Mubarak Abdullah, born in 1986 in Qena Governorate, as the bomber who had carried out the attack outside Saint Mark's church in Alexandria by comparing the DNA of remains found at the site of the bombing with the DNA of runaway suspects.[25] A day later, Egyptian authorities identified the second bomber as Mamduh Amin Mohammed Baghdadi, born in 1977 in Qena Governorate.[26]

Reactions

Domestic

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi summoned the national security council,[27] and said that those wounded could receive medical care at military hospitals.[22] The following day, president el-Sisi declared a three-month state of emergency across the country.[28]

The Egyptian Council of Churches, through its secretary-general, priest Rifaat Fathy, expressed its condolences to the victims' relatives and to Pope Tawadros II, and announced its support to Sisi's swift response to the events and to the counter-terrorism efforts of the country's security apparatus.[29]

The head of Al-Azhar, Egypt's leading center for the study of Sunni Islam, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, denounced the deadly attacks, calling them a "despicable terrorist bombing that targeted the lives of innocents."[30] Following the attacks, Muslims gathering inside mosques to donate blood for victims. Egyptians also showed solidarity with the victims by using a hashtag on social media that translates to "your terrorism brings us together."[31]

International

Representatives of the governments of Armenia,[32] Australia,[33] Canada,[34] China,[35] Colombia,[36] Cyprus,[37] France,[38] Germany,[39] Greece,[40] Hungary,[41] India,[42] Indonesia,[43] Iran,[44] Iraq, Israel,[45] Japan,[46] Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia,[47] Morocco,[48] Pakistan,[49] Poland,[50] Romania,[51] Russia,[52] Saudi Arabia,[53] Singapore,[54] Switzerland,[55] Syria,[56] Turkey,[57] and the United States[58] condemned the attacks and expressed condolences, as did the United Nations Security Council and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.[59]

The Holy See received news of the attacks while Pope Francis was holding the Palm Sunday mass in front of thousands in St. Peter's Square. The Pope, who was due to visit Egypt on 28 April, offered his condolences to his "brother" Tawadros II and to "all of the dear Egyptian nation" during his speech, while praying for the dead and the wounded.[60] [61] The World Council of Churches and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, also spoke out against the attacks.[62] [63] Despite the events, the Pope's visit to Egypt proceeded as planned.[64]

Saudi Arabia's highest religious body, the Council of Senior Scholars (also known as the Senior Council of Ulema), condemned the attacks, saying the bombings represented a "criminal act considered forbidden by Islamic consensus...these bombings have violated several tenants of Islam; from treachery to sin and aggression."[65]

The international Muslim Brotherhood condemned the attack as "painfully tragic" and that "the blood of the innocent will be a curse on the oppressors" whilst stating blame was due to the government which took power after the 2013 coup in Egypt.[66]

After the attacks, Israel closed the Taba Border Crossing with Egypt.[67]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ISIS Egypt Is Openly Betting On Bigotry As A Winning Strategy . Fernandez . Alberto M. . 22 February 2017 . MEMRI Daily Brief No.120. MEMRI .
  2. Web site: In New Video, ISIS Threatens To Increase Attacks On Copts. 20 February 2017. MEMRI. dead. 9 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170322051753/https://www.memri.org/jttm/new-video-isis-threatens-increase-attacks-copts. 22 March 2017. dmy-all.
  3. News: Egypt Declares State of Emergency, as Attacks Undercut Promise of Security. Samaan. Magdy. 9 April 2017. The New York Times. 10 April 2017. Walsh. Declan. 0362-4331.
  4. Web site: Copts flee Sinai after suspected ISIS attacks. 9 April 2017. AL Arabiya. 10 April 2017.
  5. Web site: On The Backdrop Of Copts Fleeing Sinai, Egyptian Establishment, Al-Azhar Criticized For Helplessness In Dealing With ISIS, Discrimination Of Copts. MEMRI.
  6. News: Targeted by ISIS, Egyptian Christians Flee Violence. Declan. Walsh. Nour. Youssef. The New York Times . 24 February 2017.
  7. Web site: Christians flee their homes after ISIS attacks in Egypt. Ian Lee and Sarah Sirgany. CNN. 8 March 2017 .
  8. Web site: أسبوع "آلام" كل المصريين.. دماء على جدران الكنائس . El Watan. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017. Saad, Wael. etal.
  9. Web site: Church bombing in Egypt kills at least 21 at Palm Sunday. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017. YouTube.
  10. Web site: تحقيقات النيابة: الحزام المستخدم بتفجير طنطا احتوى على "تى إن تى" ومسامير . Youm7. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017. Al-Mogy, Omnia.
  11. Web site: الإسكندرية.. انتحاري يهاجم كنيسة كان بها البابا تواضروس . Al Arabiya. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  12. Web site: هل صاحب الصورة هو انتحاري كنيسة الإسكندرية؟ . Al Arabiya. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  13. Web site: Hendawi. Hamza. Palm Sunday church bombings in Egypt kill 43, wound dozens. AP News. 9 April 2017. 9 April 2017.
  14. Web site: Egypt Cabinet OKs state of emergency after Palm Sunday church bombings. Joe Sterling . Sarah Sirgany . Ian Lee . CNN. 10 April 2017.
  15. News: Egypt Declares State of Emergency, as Attacks Undercut Promise of Security . The New York Times . 9 April 2017 . 12 April 2017 . Samaan, Magdy . Walsh, Declan .
  16. News: تفكيك قنبلتين أمام مسجد "سيدي عبد الرحيم" في طنطا . El Watan . 9 April 2017 . 12 April 2017 . Nassef, Rafik . Fathy, Ahmed .
  17. Web site: Egypt declares state of emergency after church bombings. Al Jazeera.
  18. Web site: Egypt declares state of emergency after church bombings. www.aljazeera.com.
  19. News: Yee . Vivian . 2021-10-25 . Egypt's Leader Ends State of Emergency, Says It's No Longer Needed . 2021-12-23 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  20. Web site: Church bombings in Egypt kill 37, wound dozens. 9 April 2017. Reuters. 9 April 2017.
  21. News: Egypt: Isis claims responsibility for Coptic church bombings. 9 April 2017. The Guardian. 9 April 2017. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  22. News: ISIS Claims 2 Deadly Explosions at Egyptian Coptic Churches on Palm Sunday. The New York Times. 9 April 2017. 9 April 2017.
  23. News: Who were the suicide bombers behind Egypt's deadly church attacks?. 10 April 2017. Arab Today. 10 April 2017.
  24. News: ISIS claims deadly Cairo church bombing. Al Arabiya English. 13 December 2016 . 9 April 2017.
  25. Web site: Egypt says Alexandria church suicide bomber identified. 12 April 2017. 12 April 2017.
  26. News: Egypt says second church suicide bomber identified. 14 April 2017. Yahoo News. 14 April 2017. 15 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170415012847/https://www.yahoo.com/news/egypt-says-second-church-suicide-bomber-identified-192130808.html. dead.
  27. News: Terror in Ägypten: Zweiter Anschlag auf Christen – Präsident Sisi beruft Sicherheitsrat ein. Germany. Spiegel Online. 9 April 2017 . 9 April 2017.
  28. News: Egypt declares state of emergency after deadly church attacks. BBC News . 10 April 2017 . 10 April 2017.
  29. Web site: "كنائس مصر": نثمن قرارات الرئيس ونقدر تضحيات الشرطة والجيش . El Watan. 10 April 2017. 10 April 2017. Rahoma, Mostafa.
  30. News: Church bombing north of Cairo kills 25 on Palm Sunday. 9 April 2017. en.
  31. Web site: Grinberg. Emanuella. Sirgany. Sarah. Egyptians respond to ISIS church bombings: 'Your terrorism brings us together'. CNN. 5 June 2017. 9 April 2017.
  32. Web site: President Sargsyan extends condolences to President of Egypt on terror attacks. Armenpress. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  33. Web site: 10 April 2017 . The government condemns Egypt terror attacks . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171012082233/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/politics/international/2017/04/10/the-government-condemns-egypt-terror-attacks.html . 12 October 2017 . 10 April 2017 . AAP . Sky News Australia.
  34. News: Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the terrorist attacks on Coptic Christian churches in Egypt. 9 April 2017. Prime Minister of Canada. 9 April 2017. en.
  35. Web site: China strongly condemns church terrorist attacks in Egypt. Xinhua. 10 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  36. News: Comunicado de prensa sobre los ataques terroristas ocurridos el 9 de abril en Egipto . Press release on the terrorist attacks that occurred on April 9 in Egypt . 10 April 2017 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs . es.
  37. Web site: Cyprus 'devastated' by the attacks in Egypt. Famagusta Gazette. 10 April 2017. 10 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170410214918/http://famagusta-gazette.com/cyprus-devastated-by-the-attacks-in-egypt-p39716-69.htm. 10 April 2017. dead.
  38. News: France condemns Egypt church bombing. Ahram Online. 9 April 2017. en.
  39. News: Bundesregierung verurteilt Anschlag auf Kirche in Ägypten . Federal government condemns attack on church in Egypt . 9 April 2017 . Lübecker Nachrichten . de.
  40. Web site: Greece Condemns Deadly Bomb Attack in Egypt. Greek Reporter. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  41. News: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán offered his condolences on account of victims of church attack in Egypt. Government of Hungary. 10 April 2017.
  42. Web site: PM condemns attacks in Egypt.
  43. Web site: Indonesia Condemns Palm Sunday Bomb Attacks in Egypt. Jakarta Globe. 10 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  44. Web site: Iran Condemns Egypt Church Attacks. Tasnim News Agency. 10 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  45. Web site: Israel offers condolences for victims of Egypt church attacks. The Jerusalem Post. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  46. Web site: Japan condemns terrorist attacks on Egypt's churches. Kuwait News Agency. 10 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  47. Web site: PM Najib condemns attacks in Tanta and Alexandria. Bernamai. 10 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  48. Web site: Morocco Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attacks against Churches in Egypt. Morocco World News. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  49. Web site: Pakistan Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attacks on Coptic Churches in Egypt. Radio Pakistan. 10 April 2017. 11 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170411055624/http://www.radio.gov.pk/10-Apr-2017/pakistan-strongly-condemns-terrorist-attacks-on-coptic-churches-in-egypt. dead.
  50. 851018646457651201 . @AndrzejDuda . Tragedia w Egipcie. Wybuch w kościele. Wielu zabitych i rannych. Kto chce i może niech o Nich pomyśli i wspomni w modlitwie. #NiedzielaPalm . Andrzej . Duda . Andrzej Duda . 9 April 2017 . pl . Tragedy in Egypt. Explosion in the church. Many killed and wounded. Whoever wants and can, should think about them and remember them in prayer. #PalmSunday.
  51. News: Romania's Foreign Ministry condemns terrorist attacks in Egypt. AGERPRESS. 9 April 2017. en. 29 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190729144421/https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2017/04/09/romania-s-foreign-ministry-condemns-terrorist-attacks-in-egypt-18-29-00. dead.
  52. News: Putin offers condolences to Egyptian president after blast in Tanta. TASS Russian News Agency. 9 April 2017. en.
  53. Web site: 2017-04-10 . Egypt bombings: Muslim countries lead chorus of condemnation . 2024-03-04 . Arab News . en.
  54. Web site: Singapore strongly condemns twin church attacks in Egypt, no Singaporeans affected. The Straits Times. 10 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  55. Web site: Swiss condemn attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt. Swissinfo. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  56. Web site: 2017-04-09 . Syria strongly condemns terrorist attacks against two churches in Egypt . 2024-04-26 . . en-US . An official source at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry stressed on Sunday that Syria condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist acts that targeted Saint George Church in Tanta and Saint Mark’s Church in Alexandria in Egypt..
  57. Web site: Turkey condemns Egyptian church bombing. Anadolu Agency. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  58. News: Church bombing north of Cairo kills 25 on Palm Sunday . 10 April 2017 . CBS News . The U.S. State Department condemned in the strongest terms what it called "barbaric attacks." "So sad to hear of the terrorist attack in Egypt," U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday, adding that he is confident that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will "handle" the situation properly..
  59. Web site: Security Council, UN Secretary-General and UN group condemn terror attacks in Egypt. UN News Center. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  60. Web site: Pope offers condolences after Christian bloodshed in Egypt . Euronews. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  61. Web site: Palm Sunday: Pope decries suffering caused by terrorism. The Catholic Herald. AP. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017.
  62. Web site: Pope Francis and World Council of Churches condemn terror attacks on Egyptian Christians. Ecumenical News. 9 April 2017. 10 April 2017. Kenny, Peter.
  63. News: ISIS Claims 2 Deadly Explosions at Egyptian Coptic Churches on Palm Sunday. The New York Times. 10 April 2017. en.
  64. News: Pope Francis will Visit Egypt as Planned despite Bombings of Christian Churches. Blumberg. Antonia. 10 April 2017. Huffington Post. 11 April 2017. en-US.
  65. Web site: 10 April 2017 . Saudi Arabia's highest religious body condemns twin Egypt church attacks . Al Arabiya English.
  66. Web site: Aref: Sisi Trying to Rule Egypt by Harsh Prison Rules.
  67. News: Israel riegelt Grenze zu Ägypten ab. Focus. 10 April 2017. de. Focus.

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