IS Claims Cairo Church Blast

The self-styled Islamic State terrorist group has claimed on Tuesday a suicide bombing two days ago at Cairo’s main Coptic cathedral and threatened more attacks against Christians.

The militant group said in a statement that a suicide bomber whom it identified as Abu Abdallah al-Masri had detonated his explosive belt inside the church.

“Every infidel and apostate in Egypt and everywhere should know that our war ... continues,” the group said in the statement, published by its Amaq news agency.

According to France24, the name it gave for the suicide bomber differed from that announced by Egyptian authorities on Monday-Mahmoud Shafik Mohammed Mostafa. It gave no explanation for the difference.

At least 25 people were killed and 49 wounded in the attack.

The Egyptian government had earlier released video footage showing images said to be that of the suicide attacker.

The video was a recording of CCTV footage from outside a chapel adjacent to St. Mark’s Cathedral, seat of Egypt’s ancient Coptic Orthodox Church. It shows a dark figure crossing the street and walking through the gates of the church. Moments later, the blast sends clouds of dust and debris through the windows.