Killing of Egyptian Copts Condemned

Iran denounced an armed attack on a bus carrying Coptic Christians in south of the Egyptian capital Cairo, saying the criminal act was a clear example of sectarianism supported by certain powers. Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Friday all the recent terrorist attack in the UK, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Egypt were carried out after US President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Press TV reported.  

He said, "The recurrence of such assaults signifies a boost to a type of sponsored sectarianism whose other aspect has emerged as the crackdown on Saudi and Bahraini citizens and the bloody war on Yemen."

He emphasized that the recent gathering of over 50 countries in Riyadh, held under the pretext of fighting extremism and terror, in fact had no outcome but support for the extremist ideology of Wahhabism and renewing financial and logistical aid for armed terrorists. The spokesperson said "sponsored extremism and sectarianism" will directly result in the killing of innocent Muslims, Christians and followers of other religions. Qasemi urged countries and international organizations to fulfill their international responsibilities vis-à-vis collective security and a genuine campaign against terrorism. He expressed sympathy with the Egyptian government, nation and the bereaved families of the victims.

At least 28 people, including children, were killed and over two dozen others wounded after unknown gunmen attacked a bus carrying Coptic Christians on a visit to a monastery south of Cairo on Friday. According to Egypt's Interior Ministry, the assailants in three pick-up trucks attacked the bus as it carried visitors to the Saint Samuel monastery in Minya province, more than 200 kilometers from the capital.

The attack came after church bombings in December and April claimed by the self-styled Islamic State terror group that killed dozens of Egypt's Coptic Christians. The terrorists have threatened more attacks against the Arab country's Christian minority.