Masked assailants firebomb Saudi consulate cars in Suez

Four masked assailants reportedly firebombed two diplomatic vehicles belonging to the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Suez on Friday, reported the state-owned news site EgyNews.

The attackers allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at the cars while they were parked, setting them ablaze. The assailants then fled the scene in a silver Lancer and on motorcycles, according to the privately owned newspaper Al-Shorouq.

While Shorouq reported that the attack took place in front of the residence of two Saudi diplomats, located in the Mallaha district, the state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported that in fact the cars were parked in a lot in the central Arbaeen district when they were set alight.

Police have identified the attackers and they will soon be arrested, Suez Security Directorate chief General Tarek al-Gazzar told EgyNews. He accused the suspects of attempting to spread chaos and fear among Suez residents on that city’s national day.

Some local media reports pointed the finger at the banned Muslim Brotherhood group as being behind the attack. Saudi Arabia has been a staunch supporter of the military-backed government that overthrew the Brotherhood-affiliated former President Mohamed Morsi last summer.

In May, security forces halted an attack on petroleum and electricity companies in Suez and arrested around 25 assailants allegedly planning to execute attacks on police and military facilities. The authorities claimed the attackers were hired by the Brotherhood.

 In August, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi launched a project whereby the Suez Canal would be extended and deepened by a total of 72 kilometers. Sisi insisted that the funding for this project should stay local, as it is a matter of national security. The project is expected to cost LE60 billion.