ISIS claimed responsibility for the deaths of seven people in an attack which targeted a convoy of buses carrying Coptic Christians on the way back from a visit to a monastery.
Bishop Makarios of Minya told The National that unknown assailants opened fire on the buses on Friday afternoon. On board were worshippers from Sohag and Minya returning from the monastery of St Samuel the Confessor.
All three buses travelling from the monastery were hit, but only one was forced to stop, Bishop Makarios said.
An eyewitness said that two 4x4 cars had chased the buses, and managed to stop the third one. “They shot at the first two but the drivers were not hit, so the two buses managed to escape.”
Bishop Makarios quoted some of the injured passengers saying that four attackers participated in the raid, and most of them wore white galabeyas, traditional Egyptian robes.
The attack took place almost at the exact location where 28 Christians were killed by Islamist militants in May 2017. After the attack, visits to monasteries were banned by the Coptic Orthodox Church, as most of them are in remote desert areas.
However, the decision was soon withdrawn, as most of the monasteries depend on income from worshippers and tourists.
The seven deaths included two women and five men, said a spokesperson of the Coptic Church Father Bouls Halem. He added that the six of the victims were from one family. “We consider them martyrs, and the may the Lord have peace on them.”
At least 13 of the passengers were injured and were transferred to nearby hospitals, the governor of Minya General Kassem Hassan said.
Riot police and several armoured personnel carriers were deployed around the crime scene and around the hospital in the hours following the incident. Meanwhile family and friends of the dead and wounded gathered outside.
Crying and screaming overwhelmed the entrance of Maghahga Hospital where most of the injured victims were taken before they were later transported to hospitals in Giza. While workers were still mopping up blood from the emergency entrance, Makary, a carpenter from Minya rushed into the reception to check on his relative, Mariam Nassem, who was injured during the attack.
Mr Makary, 47, burst into tears as he heard that his relative had sustained minor injuries. “One of the bishops called me to tell me that the bus she was riding was attacked by terrorists,” he said.
“Every Friday the church organises trips for the families and children. They go to the monastery to pray, make friends and have fun. Who said you should be killed because you go to pray?”
The seven bodies were transferred to the Minya Public Hospital.
Near the emergency door to the hospital's morgue, loud crying of women overwhelmed the scene while elder men stood to receive mourners who came to pay respect.
One of the mourners is Mohamed Shabana, a government employee at the Ministry of Transportation. “We are here to stand by our Coptic brothers. Whoever did this is a coward and is not man enough to come and fight men. They are only able to kill women and children.”
“You see the crowd. Everyone is sad and crying. There is no difference between Muslims and Christians.”
While elderly citizens kept their calm, young people expressed their anger about the of lack of security around monasteries. Abanoub Nassef, a student at the University of Minya said: “It is the same old scenario. The attack happens. The police intensify its presence and then weeks later they disappear, leaving the same roads unprotected.
“Where are the special forces and elite troops that we see on TV?” the young man asked before he went back to arguing with the riot police guarding the hospital in order to allow an elderly woman in after she fainted from crying.
Minya has a considerable Coptic population, and is also home to several sectarian acts where ultraconservative radical Muslims physically oppose the building of churches or the occurrence of Coptic prayers in residential areas.
Since the overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, the Egyptian state has been trying to quell radical Islamist thought, but controlling preaching and establishing outlets to counter militant ideologies, in addition to distance radical preacher from popular platforms.
Egypt has also been physically and legally confronting militancy all over the country, particularly in Sinai and the Delta.
Even though militant presence is not very common in Upper Egypt, when attacks take place, they are often deadly.
Since August, security forces announced they had killed 14 militants, on two different occasions, in Assuit, South of Minya, claiming that they were planning attacks on security personnel. Also last month, the Egyptian military sentenced 17 alleged militants to death over bombings of churches that were claimed by ISIS, leaving dozens dead.
In May 2017, ISIS published an interview with an unidentified leader of the group's Egypt affiliate warning Muslims of going places that "crusader nationals of western countries" gather, including churches.
The leader said in an interview published by the group's Al Nabaa newsletter: "We warn you to stay away from gatherings and places of interests to Christians, army and police, political and economic government facilities as well as gatherings of nationals of the Western crusaders."
Riot police and special forces troops now maintain a heavy presence in upper Egypt, especially in Luxor where Copts celebrate the St George feast at Rozikat Mountain.
A security source said Friday’s attack will not affect ongoing plans to secure the festival. He added that fingers are pointed at a suspected terrorist cell who is known for its affiliation with ISIS.
“The forces are currently suspecting that the Amro Saad Abbas Cell might be responsible for the attack.”
Abbas is known as the leader for cells which previously orchestrated attacks on churches, leaving 74 people killed in 2016 and 2017 targeting Coptic Christians in Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile Delta city of Tanta. Security forces have previously handed out wanted posters of Abbas encouraging civilians to give any information that would lead to his arrest.
“Although he was not previously registered as a political agitator in Upper Egypt, he raised in the radical scene after the 25 January uprising, and joined militant groups which lead several suicide bombings,” the source added.
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Abbas is considered number two on Egypt’s most wanted list, after Egyptian Al Qaeda commander Hisham who was captured early October in extremist stronghold of Derna.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi mourned the victims. "I deeply grieve for the martyrs who fell today by treacherous hands that seek to undermine the cohesive fabric of the homeland,” Mr El Sisi said on Facebook.
Internationally and locally, the attack was condemned. The country's parliament, ministries, and political parties asserted that the attack will not "hinder Egypt's fight against terrorism."
The country's highest Muslim institution Al Azhar sent its condolences to the families of the victims. The UAE, UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan condemned the terrorist attack.
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Emblem Storm, Oisin Murphy (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
