U.S. Condemns Terrorist Attack in Egypt

The United States condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack at a mosque in Egypt's North Sinai province. In a tweet shortly after the attack President Donald Trump said, “Horrible and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent and defenseless worshipers in Egypt. The world cannot tolerate terrorism. We must defeat them militarily and discredit the extremist ideology that forms the basis of their existence!”

The massacre at the mosque that left 305 dead is the deadliest terrorist attack in modern Egyptian history. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing and assault, but Egyptian law enforcement officials have said they believe the Islamic State-Sinai Province, a 6-year-old terror cell that swore allegiance to the Islamic State, was responsible.

In response, the Egyptian military carried out airstrikes against hideouts used by terrorists believed to be behind the attack, the military said in a statement. The airstrikes destroyed hideouts containing weapons, ammunition and explosive material.

In a statement, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said "there can be no tolerance for barbaric groups that claim to act in the name of a faith but attack houses of worship and murder the innocent and defenseless while at prayer. The international community must continue to strengthen its efforts to defeat terrorist groups that threaten the United States and our partners and we must collectively discredit the extremist ideology that forms the basis of their existence."

During a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President Trump offered condolences to the people of Egypt. He condemned the attack and reiterated that the United States will continue to stand with Egypt in the face of terrorism. The international community, he added, cannot tolerate barbaric terrorist groups and must strengthen its efforts to defeat terrorism and extremism in all its forms.