Group claims responsibility for Ismailia bombing

Ansar Beit al-Maqdes, a militant group working in Sinai, claimed responsibility for a car bomb that went off in front of the military intelligence building in Ismailia on Saturday, killing one person.

In a statement released Monday, the group accused the military and its intelligence of leading an oppressive war against Egyptians that benefits the country’s Christians and Jews, who they described as “enemies of the ummah,” or the Islamic nation.

In an ominous warning, the group advised Egyptians to stay away from police and military institutions since they are “legitimate targets for jihadis,” signaling a possible escalation in attacks on security-affiliated buildings.

Attacks on military and security personnel, checkpoints and army or police institutions have increased since President Mohamed Morsi was removed from office on July 3 by an army-imposed ultimatum spurred by mass protests demanding that he resign.

Attacks on Coptic homes and places of worship have also been on the rise, namely in Upper Egypt. On Sunday, unknown assailants opened fire on a church in Cairo’s Warraq neighborhood, killing four people.

Ansar Beit al-Maqdes also announced its responsibility for an attempt on the life of Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim on September 5.

In the statement claiming responsibility for the attack, the group explained that it aims at empowering Islam through jihad and that it rejects the democratic path, which has proven to be contrary to Islamic principles.

The group vowed to take revenge on anyone that contributed to the killing of Muslims, naming specifically Ibrahim and Defense Minister General Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

The group says its acts are motivated by the violent dispersal of two pro-Morsi sit-ins in August, which left hundreds dead and thousands injured.

Earlier this month, another militant group that calls itself Kita’ib al-Furqan (Battalions of the Quran) claimed responsibility for an RPG attack on a communications installations in the Maadi neighborhood.