MILITANTS ATTACK CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS, KILLING SEVEN, WOUNDING 19

Islamic militants on Friday ambushed three buses carrying Christian pilgrims on their way to a remote desert monastery south of the Egyptian capital of Cairo, killing seven and wounding 19, according to the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Interior Ministry.

The local Islamic State affiliate, which spearheads militants fighting security forces in the Sinai Peninsula, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the extremist group’s Amaaq news agency.

The Islamic State has repeatedly stated its intention to target Egypt’s Christians as punishment for their support of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.