Top News: Thirty-Two Killed, Over 100 Wounded in Sinai Attacks

At least thirty-two people, including civilians, were killed, and more than 100 wounded Thursday when a series of militant attacks struck North Sinai. In a Twitter account linked to the Islamic State group’s Egyptian affiliate, Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, claimed the simultaneous attacks. According to initial reports, car bombs and mortar rounds targeted an army base, eight checkpoints, an army-owned hotel, and a police club. 

POLITICS

Sisi cuts short Ethiopia visit after deadly Sinai attacks
President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi cut short his visit to Ethiopia and returned to Egypt on Friday, following a series of militant attacks, claimed by Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, in North Sinai on Thursday night that left at least thirty-two people dead. Sisi was in Addis Ababa to attend the 24th African Union summit meeting. He returned to Cairo after attending the opening session where he stressed that Egypt is fighting a war on terror against the sternest clandestine militia. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab mourned on Friday victims of deadly attacks, offering deep condolences to their families. Al Azhar, Egypt’s Mufti, and the Orthodox Church decried the attacks and offered condolences to the families of the martyrs. [Ahram Online, DNE, Reuters, SIS, Mada Masr, 1/30/2015]

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  • Egypt expresses ‘utter surprise’ over UN criticism | Ahram Online
  • Egypt’s Democratic Current still ponders election boycott | Ahram Online
  • Politicians say January revolution will not win by knockout | Egypt Independent
  • Egyptian prosperity, not protests, could define Sisi rule | Reuters

COURTS

Security forces arrest terrorist cell in Qalyubiya 
State security forces announced the arrest a terrorist cell consisting of eleven members on Friday. They are facing charges of targeting police personnel, burglary, and vandalism.  According to initial investigations by the Qalyubiya prosecutor, the suspects admitted to being Muslim Brotherhood supporters, and to conducting twelve operations in Khanka, Qalyubiya. They are also accused of inciting violence, leading Brotherhood protests, and planting IEDs near police facilities. [Shorouk (Arabic), 1/30/2015]

Also of Interest

  • Suez prosecution detains three Brotherhood members pending trial for attacks, inciting violence | Shorouk (Arabic)
  • Six Brotherhood affiliates arrested in Qena over violence charges | Shorouk (Arabic)

ECONOMY

Egyptian pound’s drop part of Central Bank’s plan
The Egyptian pound has seen a rapid decline since January 19 against the dollar, which had maintained a value of 7.14 pounds for more than six months. According to Central Bank Governor Hisham Ramez, the government’s measures to reduce the price of the pound against the dollar were aimed to deter the black market from selling and purchasing foreign currencies, by reducing the gap between the price of the dollar on the official market and on the black market. Omar al-Shenety, the executive director of Multiples Group, said that in the run-up to the economic conference in March, “The Central Bank’s move was made in response to requests from investors … so that Egypt can attract investment…” [Al-Monitor, 1/29/2015]

Also of Interest

  • Germany welcomes participation in Egypt’s economic conference | SIS

SOCIETY & MEDIA

Security forces disperse Brotherhood protests in Sharqiya, October 6
Security forces in Egypt’s Sharqiya governorate dispersed three separate pro-Muslim Brotherhood protests using teargas on Friday. Eleven of the protesters were also arrested. Similarly in Cairo’s October 6 satellite district, police dispersed tens of pro-Brotherhood protesters following Friday prayers. [Ahram Online, 1/30/2015]

Also of Interest

  • ElBaradei tweets Quranic verse in response to Sinai attacks | Ahram Online

SECURITY

Sinai attacks leave at least 32 killed, more than 100 wounded, ABM claims responsibility
At least thirty-two people, including civilians, were killed, and more than 100 wounded Thursday when a series of militant attacks struck North Sinai. In a Twitter account linked to the Islamic State group’s Egyptian affiliate, Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, claimed the simultaneous attacks. According to initial reports, car bombs and mortar rounds targeted an army base, eight checkpoints, an army-owned hotel, and a police club. Among the dead were at least twenty-five soldiers and a policeman, and the toll of dead and injured in the attacks rose due to the explosion of an army ammunition store by mortar shrapnel, an army source said. The army spokesman said Thursday night that “terrorist” elements launched the attacks against security installations in North Sinai as a result of the armed forces’ recent “successful blows” against them. He also blamed the Muslim Brotherhood for orchestrating the attack. Convening the day after the attack, Egypt’s Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) issued a statement vowing to intensify operations against all “terrorist” elements nationwide in cooperation with police forces. [Ahram Online, DNE, AP, Aswat Masriya, Mada Masr, The Guardian, 1/30/2015]

Also of Interest

INTERNATIONAL

US, Arab League, Abbas condemn North Sinai attacks
The United States denounced on Thursday the North Sinai deadly attacks, which left at least thirty-two killed and over 100 injured, State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. The statement also reiterated US support to Egypt in fighting terrorism, highlighting the two factors of “security and stability” as requirements for a “prosperous and strong Egypt.” Secretary-General of the Arab League Nabil al-Arabi also condemned the attacks, calling on all the bodies concerned to support Egypt in combating terrorism. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his condemnation of the attacks on Friday in his speech at the opening session of the African Summit in Ethiopia, announcing his support for Egypt’s efforts to wipe out terrorism. [Egypt Independent, Aswat Masriya, 1/30/2015]

Also of Interest

  • Beyond the dam: Egypt looks for a foothold in Africa | Ahram Online
  • Sisi: Egypt keen on maintaining cooperation with Ethiopia in various fields | SIS
  • Relations have improved since Sisi came to power: Ethiopian PM | Ahram Online
  • Report: Egypt, Syria, Iraq used 2014 turmoil to abuse rights | Egypt Independent, DNE