False Flag Operations

"The first bombing, in Tanta, a Nile Delta city about 100km north of Cairo, tore through the inside of St George Church during its Palm Sunday service, killing at least 27 people and injuring at least 78, the Ministry of Health said."

"The second, carried out a few hours later by a suicide bomber in Alexandria, hit Saint Mark's Cathedral, the historic seat of the Coptic Pope, killing 17 people, including three police officers, and injuring 41 (some sources say 48), the ministry added."

"At least three police officers were killed in the St. Mark's attack, the ministry told The Associated Press."

Allegedly there is video showing the alleged attacker being prevented from entering the church and then being led over to a metal detector. Then he blew himself up.

"CCTV images showed a man with a blue sweater tied over his shoulders approaching the main gate to St. Mark's and then being turned away by security and directed toward a metal detector. He passed a female police officer talking to another woman, and entered a metal detector before an explosion engulfed the area." (ABC News)

Where is this video?! Why isn't it being shown. It would show whether the alleged attacker blew himself up or if a preplanted explosive went off in the metal detector.

"Either a bomb was planted or someone blew himself up," provincial governor Ahmad Deif told the state-run Nile TV channel, Sky News reported.

"The first blast ripped through a Palm Sunday service at St. George's Church in Tanta. An explosive device had been planted under a seat in the main prayer hall." (CNN News)

"Al-Ahram Arabic reported that security forces also dismantled two explosive devices at Sidi Abdel Rahim Mosque in Tanta. The mosque is considered among the most important in city." (USA Today)

"A series of steps will be taken, most importantly, the announcement of a state of emergency for three months after legal and constitution steps are taken," Mr Sisi said in a speech aired on state television.

""What happened is a dangerous indicator that shows how easy it is to attack a large gathering of people in different places," said researcher Ishaq Ibrahim with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. "There is a complete government failure in taking the IS threat seriously."" (ABC News)

""There was a clear lapse in security, which must be tightened from now on to save lives," he told The Associated Press. The blast appeared to be centered near the altar, he said."

Did the alleged terrorist ever make it to the alter? Was there a bomb planted at the alter?

""The state of emergency means absolutely nothing to me," said Andrew Abdel Shaheed, an Egyptian Copt in Brussels.
"It means that people will get trailed for no reason and arrested with no warrants, but what does it do for the future of Egyptians? I personally do not feel safe to return to Egypt."" (CNN News)

"After the bombings, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared a period of mourning. The government formed a council to counter terror and extremism.
"The attack will not undermine the resolve and true will of the Egyptian people to counter the forces of evil," the President said in a statement. The Egyptian Cabinet, on its website Monday, said it had approved a three-month, nationwide state of emergency that went into effect at 1 p.m. Cairo time (7 a.m. ET).
""The state of emergency allows both the armed forces and the police to execute those procedures necessary to combat the threats of terrorism and its financing, maintain security around the country and protect public and private property, as well as preserving the lives of citizens," the statement said."(CNN News)

According to Fox News, "Radical Islamic terrorism the number one foe".

Allegedly "The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks".

"Islamic State said two of its fighters wearing suicide vests carried out the attacks, and it warned of more to come." (Reuters)

"The Islamic State, which had recently warned it would step up violence against Egypt's Christians, claimed responsibility for the attacks via its Aamaq news agency. The churches were packed with parishioners for Palm Sunday, which is among the holiest days on the Christian calendar." (USA Today)

"ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks via its Aamaq media agency, following the group's recent video vowing to step up attacks against Christians, who the group describes as "infidels" empowering the West against Muslims."

"IS said in a statement that two Egyptian suicide bombers named Abu Ishaq al Masri and Abu al Baraa al Masri carried out the church attacks and vowed to continue attacks against Christians." (ABC News)

cui bono - "a principle that probable responsibility for an act or event lies with one having something to gain"

"Egypt has struggled to combat a wave of Islamic militancy since the 2013 military overthrow of an elected Islamist president." (ABC News)

"Deflecting Western criticism that he has suppressed political opposition and human rights activists since he won election in 2014, Mr Sisi has sought to present himself as an indispensable bulwark against terrorism in the Middle East, and he identifies militant Islam as a threat."

"The assault is the latest on a religious minority increasingly targeted by Islamist militants, and a challenge to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has pledged to protect them as part of his campaign against extremism." (Reuters)

"The attack ... will only harden the determination (of the Egyptian people) to move forward on their trajectory to realise security, stability and comprehensive development," Mr Sisi said in a statement.

"Sisi also ordered troops be immediately deployed to assist police in securing vital facilities, a rare move for the general-turned-president, who as defense chief led the military's 2013 ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood's President Mohamed Mursi. (Reuters)

"President Trump, who hosted Sisi last week in his first official visit to the U.S., expressed support for a leader he has said he plans to work more closely with on fighting Islamist militants, who Sisi identifies as an existential threat." (Reuters)

"The Cabinet will allocate 100,000 Egyptian pounds ($5,530) compensation to families of each victim in Tanta and Alexandria's church bombings, state TV said." (CNN News)

"Islamic State's branch in Egypt appears to be stepping up attacks and threats against Christians, who comprise about 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million people and amount to the biggest Christian minority in the Middle East."

"'CHRISTIANS ARE OUR FAVORITE PREY,' ISIS SAYS"

"ISIS has waged a low-level war against soldiers and police in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula for years. It now seems to be changing tactics, targeting Christian civilians and broadening its reach into Egypt's mainland."

Just weeks before the Pope is scheduled to visit Egypt.

The attack came just after Pope Tawadros II -- leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria -- finished services, but aides told local media that he was unharmed.

"Pope Tawadros II had held Palm Sunday services at the cathedral and the timing of the attack indicated the bomber had sought to assassinate him."

""These acts will not harm the unity and cohesion of the people," Pope Tawadros said later, according to state media."

“Coptic” means “Egyptian,” and Christians living in Egypt identify themselves as Coptic Christians.

"The Coptic Church is based on the teachings of St. Mark the apostle, who brought Christianity to Egypt in the first century, a dozen of years after the death of Jesus. About 10% of Egypt's mostly Muslim population of 90 million are Christian — one of the oldest Christian communities in the world." (USA Today)