Global condemnation of Sheikh Zowayed’s terror attack killing 7

CAIRO – 10 April 2019: Ambassador of the European Union to Egypt Ivan Surkos denounced the suicide bombing that took place on Tuesday in North Sinai’s Sheikh Zowayed, officially killing 7 people including 4 policemen.

It is worth mentioning that some reports claim that the number of the deceased reached 8.

Sinai Province, ISIS’s branch in Egypt, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to its media arm Amaq News Agency.

We condemn the recent suicide attack in North Sinai that resulted in casualties among policemen&civilians. Profound condolences to families of victims. Without security sustainable social economic development is not possible. #EU stands hand in hand with #Egypt fighting terrorism

— Ivan Surkos (@ISurkosEU) April 10, 2019

A security force, which was patrolling the market area in North Sinai’s Sheikh Zowayed, was targeted by a 15-year-old suicide bomber, according to the preliminary investigation, resulting in the death of two police officers, two policemen, and three citizens including a six-year-old child.

That is in addition to over 25 injuries among civilians who were transferred to the hospital to receive treatment.

Kuwait’s Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad sent a cable of condolences, following the incident, where he reiterated his country’s rejection of all forms of terrorism, and stressed the support of the international community to drain the sources of terror.

Also President of the UAE Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, sent similar cables to Sisi, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).

Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt Diab al-Louh mourned the victims of the terror attack on behalf of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian leader ship and people.

“The Palestinian leadership and people condemn in the strongest terms this heinous crime, which targeted the heroes and innocent citizens of Egypt. They affirm the solidarity of Palestine represented by its leadership and people with Egypt, headed by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, in its war against terrorism and against anyone who tries to harm national security. They stress Egypt's ability to win the nation's battle against terrorism, and [destroy] the hideouts of those extremist groups,” Louh stated.

In February , a video showed two policemen killed after they got their hands on a terrorist who was targeted after planting a bomb to target security forces; the police could earlier control the bomb.

Once the two policemen could finally seize Al-Hassan Abdullah, a bomb the latter carried exploded likely deliberately. A third police lieutenant colonel was announced killed later due to severe injuries.

Since the ousting of Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated former President Mohamed Morsi, and the death of dozens of policemen and hundreds of Morsi supporters during the dispersal of pro-Morsi protests in Al-Nahda and Rabaa Al-Adaweya squares, Islamist terrorism prevailed in the country and hundreds of policemen and army troops have been killed in terrorist attacks since then.

In February 2018, under the title "Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018", Egypt's Armed Forces launched a comprehensive military operation targeting the hotbeds of terrorists in Northern and Central Sinai.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi authorized the army chief of staff to use “brutal force” against terrorism. Armed Forces spokesman Tamer al-Rifai said on October 16 that life in North Sinai has become normal.