Triple attacks in Egypt following day of clashes

Ahram Online, Monday 7 Oct 2013

Three attacks strike Egypt Monday morning following fresh political violence on Sunday

army check point
An army check point in North Sinai's Al-Arish city mid-July 2013 (Photo: Reuters)

Three attacks hit Egypt Monday morning in Cairo, Ismailia and South Sinai.

Six Egyptian army personnel -- one officer and five soldiers -- were killed Monday morning in an attack by gunmen on an army patrol near the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, security officials said.

Shortly afterwards in the southern Sinai town of Al-Tor, two were killed and 48 injured in a massive car bomb explosion targeting security headquarters.

Meanwhile in southern Cairo's upscale district of Maadi, armed assailants attacked with RPGs an uplink telecom facility used to air channels on Egypt's Nilesat satellite, reported pan-Arab news channel Sky News Arabia.

The attack reportedly caused limited damage to some of the satellite dishes at the site. No casualties resulting from the attack have been reported so far.

The country witnessed a fresh episode of political violence on Sunday as 53 were killed in clashes between protesters supporting ousted president Mohamed Morsi and security forces in Cairo and a number of other governorates.

Protesters in Cairo had attempted to converge on the heavily-barricaded Tahrir Square, where celebrations were being held in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the 6 October War with Israel.

Later in the evening, Army Commander General Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi – who announced Morsi's removal in July following mass protests against his rule – vowed in a live speech later on Sunday evening to continue fulfilling "the people's mandate to confront terrorism."

Following Morsi's ouster, security forces intensified their crackdown on his supporters. Hundreds of protesters were killed in August in the forcible dispersal of two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo.

On the other hand, several police stations across the country were attacked and militant activity increased in the restive Sinai Peninsula. Attacks have recently also begun to target the vicinity of the Suez Canal.
 

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