Security cracks down on terrorists plotting to target Coptic celebrations

CAIRO – 20 December 2018: Egypt’s Interior Ministry stated that its strategic plan to preserve national interest, state capabilities and abort the hostile plots designed by the Muslim Brotherhoods, which seems to undermine the internal stability of the country, is still on-going.

The ministry stated that information was received by the Egyptian secrurity forces regarding a movement by Hasm, as a Muslim Brotherhood’s right arm, to carry out several attacks against tourist facilities, public buildings, armed forces and police during Christmas celebrations.

The security forces, using the tips they received, monitored the situation in the area of Al-Moneeb in Giza. Police personnel approached the suspects to question them on permits and whether they have the appropriate paperwork; unfortunately, the suspect opened fire on the security personnel, which forced them to retaliate, killing him on sites.

Upon searching his belongings, a false identity card and mechanical gun were found.

Security forces are continuing to follow-up and trace the other members. Security forces located the terrorist elements at a hideout in Salam City, Cairo. Accordingly, a number of checkpoints were put in place in order to ensure that the fugitives are caught, including the Muslim Brotherhood member Ibrahim Reda Ibrahim Metwaly Khedr, who was found and killed on site after he opened fire on security forces.

Upon searching, security forces found in his possession a false identity card, a 9-mm gun, a significant number of bullets, an explosive device, and materials and tools that are used to create explosive devices.

An apartment was also located in Salam City in Cairo, where a number of terrorists have taken refuge. When security forces raided the apartment, they found four Muslim Brotherhood fugatives, including Salah el-Din Hamed Moussa Manaa Mugawer, Amr Ayman Mohamed Aly, Mohamed Gamal Mohamed Aly Mostafa, and Sayed Mahmoud Abdel-Ghany Abdel-Meguid.

In the apartment, forces found automatic rifles, explosive devices, and a surplus of ammunition, a drone, and more.

The four terrorists were detained and processed.