Local condemnations of el-Darb el-Ahmar attack

CAIRO – 20 February 2019: Egyptian officials condemned Monday's attack in Cairo's el-Darb el-Ahmar district which left two non-commissioned officers dead and three policemen injured.

Head of Journalists Syndicate Abdel Mohsen Salama issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack and lauding the efforts exerted by the army and police to eradicate terrorism.

Also, Awqaf Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa condemned the terrorist attack, asserting that Islam criminalizes any attack on innocent people and considers it a great sin. He also offered condolences for the families of the martyrs and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Head of State Litigation Authority Hussien Khalil denounced in a statement the terrorist attack, adding that this act will enhance unity among Egyptians and will boost their determination to uproot terrorism.

Egypt's Ministry of Interior said in a statement that the investigation into the planted Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Al-Istiqamah Mosque in Giza governorate on Friday led them to al-Darb al-Ahmar neighborhood near Al-Azhar mosque.

The security forces attempted to arrest the assailant who resided in the old neighborhood before he exploded himself to kill two policemen and wound six others along with several pedestrians.

Attorney General, Nabil Sadek, ordered to launch an investigation into the suicide bombing that took place Sunday at al-Darb al-Ahmar.

A suicide bomber attempted to plant a bomb in the old neighborhood; however, the suspect exploded himself after being cornered by security authorities to kill two policemen and wound six others.

Health Ministry Spokesman Khaled Megahed said the health conditions of the three officers who were injured in El Darb El Ahmar terrorist attack are stable. He noted that Health Minister Hala Zayed inspected El Hussein University Hospital to check on the conditions of the injured.

However, Magdy Ashour, an adviser to the Grand Mufti, said Egypt's success in various domains provoked extremists and terrorists to carry out what he termed as "failing attempts" against Egypt. He called for disseminating the moderate teachings of Islam and its values of love, tolerance, mercy and peace.

Ashour noted that Dar el Iftaa will organize training sessions for imams and preachers to hone their skills on means of confronting extremist thought.