US condemns North Sinai attacks - statement

Friday 30-01-2015 05:12 PM
US condemns North Sinai attacks - statement

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the presidential palace in Cairo September 13, 2014. REUTERS/Brendan Smialowski/Pool

By

CAIRO, Jan 30 (Aswat Masriya) - The United States denounced on Thursday the North Sinai deadly attacks, which left at least 29 killed and dozens injured, State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

"The United States strongly condemns [Thursday's] terrorist attacks in Egypt's North Sinai Governorate in which at least 29 Egyptian citizens were killed and dozens others wounded," the statement read. "We express our sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and the government and people of Egypt."

The statement also reiterated the U.S. support to Egypt in fighting terrorism, highlighting the two factors of "security and stability" as requirements for a "prosperous and strong Egypt". 

"The United States remains steadfast in its support of the Egyptian government's efforts to combat the threat of terrorism in Egypt as part of our continuing commitment to the strategic partnership between our two countries," the statement said.

At least 29 people were killed, and 50 others were injured late Thursday in four separate attacks against security installations in North Sinai governorate, security and medical sources said.

The Sinai-based militant group Sinai Province claimed responsibility of the fours attacks on its Twitter account, hours after the attacks were launched.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi cut short his visit to Ethiopia to attend the African Union summit following the attacks, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

Sisi declared a state of emergency and a curfew in the border governorate last October, in reaction to a militant attack which left over 30 security personnel killed.

It was extended until April 25, the cabinet said in a statement earlier this week.

Militants have stepped up attacks targeting security forces in Egypt, particularly in the Sinai peninsula, since the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013.

facebook comments