The three-vehicle convoy was near the village of Adwa in northern Minya Governorate, near the border with Beni Suef Governorate, when it was ambushed on a road to the monastery by 8-10 Arab tribesmen with guns reportedly in military-style uniforms.[6][7] Attackers shot at a mini-bus containing children, killing at least six, including a four-year-old and two-year-old. Gunmen also entered a bus in the convoy, stealing phones and jewelry from female riders and killing the men, "leaving Islamist leaflets among the bodies."[7] Some men and boys were also removed from the bus and asked to recite the Shahada, and they were shot dead when they refused to do so.[11] A pickup truck in the convoy with workmen headed to the monastery was also targeted, and at least eight workers were killed.[7] After the attack, the gunmen drove off in three four-wheel drive vehicles.[6]
No group took immediate responsibility for the attack, although analysts suspected that ISIS was responsible.[12]Amaq News Agency attributed it to "(a) group that belongs to Islamic State".[13] ISIS later released an official statement claiming credit.[14] Others have argued, however, that al-Qaeda loyalist Hesham Ashmawy and his al-Mourabitoun network were responsible for the Minya attack.[15]
Response
After the attack, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi organized an emergency meeting with top security officials.[12] Security forces in Minya sent out patrols and set up checkpoints along roads in the area in an attempt to find the attackers.[12]
In the evening of the day of the attacks, the president appeared on television to address the nation and announced he had ordered retaliatory attacks against terrorist training camps in neighboring Libya.[16]
State media said fighter jets had conducted six strikes against sites in the vicinity of the port city of Derna where the militants responsible for the attack are believed to have trained.[17]
A second wave of airstrikes was launched the following day, 27 May.[18] On 29 May 2017, a spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA) confirmed that Egypt and the LNA had cooperated in targeting locations in Derna as well as Jufra with 15 airstrikes launched.[19]
Reactions
Cardinal Secretary of StatePietro Parolin stated in a telegram to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that Pope Francis was "deeply saddened to learn of the barbaric attack" and that he expressed his "heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this violent outrage." He also stated that "Pope Francis assures all who have been injured of his ardent prayers, and he pledges his continued intercession for peace and reconciliation throughout the nation."[20]
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences and said Russia remains a reliable ally of Egypt in the fight against terrorism.[citation needed]
U.S. President Donald Trump blamed the attack on "evil organizations of terror" and "thuggish ideology", calling it a "merciless slaughter"
that "grieves our hearts and tears at our souls."[21]
In Israel, Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality building displayed red, white, black and golden hues on Saturday night as it was lit up in solidarity with Egypt.[22]
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, reaffirms its strong condemnation of any act contrary to respect for life, peaceful coexistence and human rights and reiterates its commitment and support to the Arab Republic of Egypt in the fight against intolerance and terrorism in all its forms. The Government of the Republic of Guatemala expresses its solidarity with the People and Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, especially the families of the victims and expresses its hope for the prompt recovery of the wounded.[25]
ISIS
