A Christian citizen was reportedly shot dead by the militants of the Islamic State (IS) in Al-Arish after he had escaped North Sinai about two months ago in what was thought to be collective displacement.
In February, dozens of Coptic families fled the North Sinai’s city of Al-Arish after an increased attack from IS on them. In one month, the IS militants killed seven Christian citizens. According to Church officials, about 100 families moved to the Suez Canal city of Ismailia.
Nabil Saber, 40, was killed on Saturday in his barbershop, one day after an unidentified IS Leader suggested increased attacks on Christians and called on Muslims to avoid their gatherings.
Saber was among the families that fled Al-Arish in February and decided to settle in Port Said. The area in which Saber was killed has a heavy security presence securing a nearby church.
Another video was released by IS, in which they promised to “liberate and cleanse” Cairo from christians.
North Sinai has been caught up in a crossfire between security forces from the military and the police and IS militants over the past few years. Hundreds have died from both sides.
IS militants have recently begun to operate outside North Sinai and executed three attacks on churches in Cairo, Tanta and Alexandria, leaving tens of Christians dead and dozens injured.
The attack on Egypt’s religious minority is deemed as a challenge to president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi who vowed to protect Egypt’s Christians.
Comments (0)