There have been numerous terrorist attacks in Egypt, but one recently was confirmed by officials to be the worst in current times. The attack targeted a mosque frequented by Sufis, members of a mystic movement within Islam. 305 were killed and 128 injured in a town of only 800 people. Islamic militants set off a bomb which caused civilians to rush out. As people tried to escape, they were shot down by other militants who were parked outside. The Associated Press interviewed witnesses who spoke of people jumping out of windows and a stampede inside of people trying to escape the building.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the terrorists were reported to be carrying ISIS flags. Many people think of it as odd that ISIS is killing other Muslims, but many say that ISIS considers Sufism to be a more “magical” form of Islam, and they consider it a threat to what it preaches. Other ISIS militants murdered Sufis around the world, including a bombing in February of a Sufi shrine in Pakistan.
“What is happening is an attempt to stop us from our efforts in the fight against terrorism,” Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el Sisi said in a televised speech. “The armed forces and the police will avenge our martyrs and restore security and stability with the utmost force.”
The military quickly used airstrikes on some terrorist locations where weapons and ammunition were stored. They also located and bombed some of the vehicles used in the attack.
Egypt has been in a state of emergency since April. The military and security forces have been trying to fight back against militants in the Sinai Peninsula. Thousands have been arrested in a crackdown on suspected terrorists.
