Egyptian President Abdul Fattah el-Sisi said that al Amiriya incident proved that Egypt is capable of countering terrorism and preserving the safety and security of the homeland and citizens despite all the challenges.
On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry announced it neutralized a "terrorist cell" in Amiriya area, eastern Cairo, which was planning to attack Coptic Christians during Easter celebrations.
The ministry raided the group’s shelter and found a cache of weapons and explosives which the militants were planning to use in their terrorist attack.
It said clashes erupted as the security forces raided an apartment in the neighborhood and killed seven militants, also a police officer got killed and three others were injured.
On Tuesday, Egyptian television showed images of the gun battle between counter-terrorism forces and the terrorist elements, while security officers appealed to people, through speakers, to stay away from the area.
Authorities held a military funeral for the police officer in his hometown, and Sisi praised the operation, saying: “I followed with great pride the heroic action of the interior ministry's men, which confirms the bravery of police officers in the face of terrorism.”
National Security revealed that the terrorists used several hideouts to the east and south of Cairo to launch terrorist operations targeting Christians during the holy week and Easter Sunday.
The operation came as Egypt battles to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It is believed that the cell was planning to execute its terrorist operation during the curfew, taking advantage of the states’ preoccupation with the pandemic.
The Egyptian government extended its sincere condolences to the family of the martyr and to the men of the Ministry of the Interior, affirming that security forces are the shield that protects the country’s internal security in the face of terrorism.
Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam also extended his condolences to the family of police officer who was killed in a security crackdown in Amiriya.
Allam commended the police and army personnel for their sacrifices and underlined the need to increase preemptive strikes against terrorist groups to undermine their ability to pursue their destructive agendas, and establish peace and stability all over Egypt.
Al-Azhar, in turn, offered condolences to the family of the police officer, and to the Interior Ministry, praying for security, safety, and stability in Egypt.
Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, noting that it undermines security, stability, and peace.
Later, UAE issued a statement renewing its solidarity with Egypt in dealing with terrorist acts and affirmed its support for all measures taken by authorities to protect its security and stability.
UAE’s Foreign Ministry also expressed its condolences to the families of the victims of this criminal act and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
It praised the vigilance, sophistication, and efficiency of the Egyptian security forces’ response, which resulted in the killing of numerous terrorists who were found to be in possession of weapons and ammunition intended to be used in carrying out attacks.
Egyptian security forces launched in 2018 a nationwide offensive against extremists mainly in the Sinai Peninsula, northeast Egypt.
