Egyptian security agencies dismantled on Saturday a cell that planned terrorist attacks during the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
Egypt’s Interior Ministry issued the announcement on Saturday after ISIS adopted a terrorist attack that targeted the Mar Mina Coptic Church in Helwan, southern Cairo last Friday.
A ministry statement said Egyptian National security killed three members of the Hasm movement, one of the armed wings of the Muslim Brotherhood, during gun shooting with security forces in the Giza province.
According to the ministry, the security personnel also arrested ten other members from the movement in a raid at a terrorist hideout on Giza Road.
It said members of the movement were planning to carry out a series of attacks against tourism facilities, vital installations and armed forces during the celebrations of Christmas events, to create instability and cause confusion in the state.
The security personnel arrested the terrorists, who were hiding in a farm, located on the Giza Road and used by the militants to hide and manufacture explosives.
The ministry said the terrorists had three automatic rifles, two explosive devices and ammunition.
On Friday, a gunman killed at least 10 people in attacks on a Coptic Orthodox church and a Christian-owned shop near Cairo before he was wounded and arrested.
Sources told Egypt’s official news agency MENA that the attacker was operated on Saturday after suffering from wounds in his leg and other body injuries.
In a statement carried out by its Amaq news agency, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks.
A joint funeral of those killed was held on Friday evening at the Virgin Mary church in Helwan.
Egyptian Defense Minister Sedki Sobhy said Egypt faces challenges linked to its policy of eradicating terrorism and extremism in the country.
“Those challenges will only strengthen our determination for achieving our holy mission,” he said.
