Saudi Arabia condemned on Monday the terrorist attack in Egypt’s Sinai region that left 18 policemen dead, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
A source from the Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack in the city of al-Arish, offering his condolences to the Egyptian government and people.
He stressed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Egypt in standing against terrorism and extremism.
ISIS had declared its responsibility for the attack as security experts said that the assault took extensive planning.
“This demands that the security forces reconsider their measures. The problem in Sinai lies in the fact that the terrorists are living among the locals,” making them more difficult to detect, they explained.
The Egyptian government condemned the terrorist attack and Prime Minister Sharif Ismail expressed the state’s determination to firmly confront “those cowardly criminal acts.”
He vowed that Egypt will pursue the terrorists, noting that the frequency of the attacks demands a united international stance in combating terror in the world.
“These attacks by the forces of darkness and terrorism will only make the Egyptian people more determined to defeat terror and restore their security and stability,” stressed the premier.
A media official at the Interior Ministry said that Monday’s attack took place as a security convoy was passing in the Bir al-Abed area in al-Arish. It was targeted by a car bomb, which damaged a number of the police vehicles.
A shootout with the terrorists, who were hidden in the desert area by the road, soon ensued. Eighteen police officers and three of the attackers were killed.
