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Egypt swiftly responds to ISIL beheading of Coptic Christians

US-IRAQ-SYRIA-CONFLICT

Mohamed Shalaby
Press TV, Cairo

The Egyptian army released a video of its airstrikes on ISIL targets in Libya, that it said came in retaliation for the killing of 21 kidnapped Coptic Christians by the terrorist group.

The army described its operation as intense, and stated that it had succeeded in hitting training facilities, and weaponry warehouses of the ISIL takfiri militants on Libyan ground.

At least 50 militants were killed in the strikes according to Egyptian and Libyan security officials, while reports say at least 7 civilians, including three children were among the dead.
Many Egyptians, mainly Pro-government voices, and especially those from the Christian minority, have hailed the government reaction, which they believe restores state supremacy.

But other analysts had a different view, mainly in fear that nearly one million Egyptians residing in Libya would face retaliatory attacks by extremists , or be forced to return to the impoverished conditions at home, that made them flee to lawless Libya in the first place.

The one thing all Egyptians agree upon, is the condemnation of the ISIL's barbarism, and their belief that Israel is the main beneficiary of strife in the region.

The Muslim Brotherhood has condemned ISIL's latest despicable actions, and warned of further infighting in the region.

ISIL's heinous crimes have also been condemned by Azhar, the Arab League, and regional, and international powers.
Egypt's president Sisi had said that his country reserved the right to respond to ISIL, in the appropriate way, and time of its choice, meaning that more strikes are likely to come.

Sisi has also sent his foreign minister Shoukri to New York, to lobby for Security Council action against terrorists in Libya, whom Sisi accuses of being Muslim Brotherhood elements.
The Brotherhood held Sisi's policies, responsible for the spilling of Egyptians' blood in Libya.

Egyptians are still in a state of shock, regarding the humanitarian tragedy that would probably have more dangerous repercussions in the entire region.


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