Barbaric attack in Egypt

The terrorist attack that killed or wounded several defenseless worshippers at Al Rawdah Mosque in Egypt’s North Sinai is another barbaric crime committed by those with sick minds that seek to spread chaos through the killing of innocent people.

Such dastardly actions by militants pose a threat not only to peace-loving Egyptians but also to the entire world and call for zero tolerance.

The modus operandi in the deadliest attack in the country’s modern history indicates a cold blooded and pre-meditated massacre.

The assailants had surrounded the mosque with all-terrain vehicles then planted a bomb outside. The gunmen then mowed down the panicked worshippers as they attempted to flee and used the congregants’ vehicles they had set alight to block routes to the mosque.

The evil killers did not spare even civilians and conscripts praying at the mosque.

The perpetrators of the heinous crime need to be swiftly brought to justice.

The terrorist attack that killed or wounded several defenseless worshippers at Al Rawdah Mosque in Egypt’s North Sinai is another barbaric crime committed by those with sick minds that seek to spread chaos through the killing of innocent people. Such dastardly actions by militants pose a threat not only to peace-loving Egyptians but also to the entire world and call for zero tolerance.

The modus operandi in the deadliest attack in the country’s modern history indicates a cold blooded and pre-meditated massacre.

The assailants had surrounded the mosque with all-terrain vehicles then planted a bomb outside. The gunmen then mowed Down THE PANICKED worshippers As they Attempted to LEE AND used the congregants’ vehicles they had set alight to block routes to the mosque.

The evil killers did not spare even civilians and conscripts praying at the mosque.

The perpetrators of the heinous crime need to be swiftly brought to justice.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has rightly pledged to respond with brutal force to the attack. “The armed forces and the police will avenge our martyrs and restore security and stability with the utmost force,” he has stated.

True to his words, Egypt’s military has already begun conducting air strikes around the area of North Sinai where the monstrous attack took place.

The strikes have been concentrated in several mountainous areas surrounding Al Rawdah mosque where militants are believed to be hiding.

Egypt holds a special place in the hearts of UAE nationals and residents. The two countries share the same opinion that terrorism is a threat to the nations, to the reputation of tolerant Islam, and to all people.

There are multi-dimensional links connecting the two nations and the two peoples, especially in light of the huge presence of the Egyptian community in the UAE.

The horrible crime exposes beyond doubt the ugly face of terrorism that does not respect the human soul and the sanctity of places of worship.

It exposes the false allegations of extremist groups, which don the cloak of religion to justify their barbaric acts, which Islam is innocent from.

As stated by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the countries of the world should further co-ordinate and mobilise efforts to eradicate this dangerous scourge, which threatens international security and stability, as well as to eliminate the root causes of terrorism and dry up its sources of funding.

■■■ THE GULF TODAY