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Islamic State Extending Attacks Beyond Sinai to Egyptian Heartland

(Reuters) Ali Abdelaty and Ahmed Aboulenein - Islamic State claimed responsibility for seven attacks in Cairo last year, after mounting four in 2015. When the group claimed the bombing of Cairo's Coptic Christian cathedral in December which killed 28, its statement was signed, "Islamic State Egypt." "Islamic State has had Egypt as a target - and not just Sinai - as part of its discourse for quite a while now, and independent security analysts, as well as official statements from the Egyptian state, show that attacks beyond Sinai have increased in the last couple of years," said H.A. Hellyer, senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington. "When the attacks are claimed by 'Islamic State in Egypt' and not simply 'Sinai Province,' it is a clear expression from them that they are not simply going to target Sinai, but the broader country." Islamic State has made no demands of the Egyptian government, which it aims to topple. It fights to establish a global caliphate to which it wants to add Egypt. The government says the group has tried to assassinate President Sisi more than once.
2017-01-27 00:00:00
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