Egypt raises security alert to maximum fearing terrorist activities during Christmas holiday

Cairo, December 18: Egypt’s Coptic Churches already went under brutal terrorist attacks this year and several Coptic Christians along with common civilians lost lives. As Christmas is approaching Coptic Christmas are preparing for festivities during the year ends to next year’s first week. Considering all the issues, Egypt’s Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar ordered the security alert to be raised to the maximum level during Christmas holidays.

The Minister met deputy ministers and security officials to review the security plan to ensure that the celebrations are safe. Presence of security personnel on streets and squares and at vital state institutions has been emphasized. Especially, security presence around Christian places of worship will be intensified.

“Critical security confrontations with terrorist factions in North Sinai may prompt some of them to flee and try to sneak into cities, and this will require vigilance and preparation to face those attempts,” said Abdel Ghaffar. Moreover, terrorist attack on a security checkpoint in Arish earlier prompted the decision to raise security levels to maximum alert.

ISIS brought down an attack on Christian community during last year’s Christmas also. An explosion in the al-Botrosiya Church, near the complex of the main Coptic Cathedral in Cairo, killed 29 people and injured tens of others.