Cairo: Egypt imposed a three-month state of emergency on Monday and ordered the military to protect vital infrastructure after the Islamic State terror group targeted two minority Coptic Christian churches in powerful bombings, killing at least 45 people and wounding more than 120 others.
As Egyptians bid tearful farewell to the those who died in the terror attacks on Palm Sunday, the Egyptian government declared that the state of emergency across the country will be effective from Monday.
Egypt's Cabinet approved the measure - which allows authorities to make arrests without warrants and search people's homes - and explained the reasons for the imposition of emergency. The Cabinet's approval came after President AbdelFattah al-Sisi announced the state of emergency for three months on Sunday night. US President Trump called Sisi after the bombings to express his condolences, Washington said on Monday.
“The President also expressed his confidence in President Al Sisi's commitment to protect Christians and all Egyptians,” the White House said.
45 killed church blasts
At least 45 people were killed and nearly 120 others injured in powerful blasts triggered by ISIS in two churches packed with worshippers celebrating Palm Sunday in Egypt's Tanta and Alexandria cities, the deadliest attacks on the minority Coptic Christians in recent years. The first blast took place in the Coptic church of Mar Girgis, also known as St George, in the Nile delta city of Tanta, about 120 km from Cairo, killing 27 people and injuring 78, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
Security sources said the primary investigations suggest that a person put an explosive device inside the church during the Christian prayers celebrating the Palm Sunday. However, others said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
The explosion targeted the front rows in the church hall. Among those killed is Samuel George, the head of Tanta Court. Hours later, a suicide bomber struck the Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria's Manshyia district, police said.
Citing Health Minister Ahmed Emad, a news channel said at least 18 people, including police personnel, were killed while 41 others injured in Alexandria's suicide attack. The latest figure puts the combined death toll from the Tanta and Alexandria attacks at 45. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the twin attacks, one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar.
"Islamic State squads carried out the attacks on two churches in Tanta and Alexandria," said the group's propaganda news agency 'Amaq' on its social media accounts. In a statement, the Interior ministry said a suicide bomber had planned to blow up himself using an explosive belt inside the church in Alexandria, but the security forces stopped him.
