Egypt's Ministry of Interior announced that seven terror suspects were killed in a gunfire exchange in Assiut, after the security forces attempted to arrest them on accusations of belonging to a terrorist cell supporting the Islamic State (IS) militant group. The ministry said they were found in possession of five automatic rifles among other weapons and ammunition. It said they were part of a terrorist cell that was planning to target Copts and their properties in the governorate, namely the Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary in the village of Dronka. This security campaign followed the two terrorist attacks targeted St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria and St. George's church Cathedral in Tanta, left 44 killed and 100 others were injured. After hours from the attacks, IS claimed its responsibility. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi declared a three-month state of emergency in the country. International and local officials declared their full support to Egypt in its fight against terrorism.
