Devastating Sinai Attack Points to ISIS

On Friday, militants carried out a devastating attack at a mosque in the city of Bir al-Abed located in Egypt’s northern Sinai province, leaving at least 230 dead and more than 100 others injured. According to local police, gunmen arrived in four vehicles and bombed the mosque, which was packed for Friday prayers, before opening fire on fleeing worshippers. The vehicles were also set on fire outside the mosque to block off escape routes.

Although there has been no claim of responsibility, ISIS’ affiliate in the Sinai, known as Sinai Province, has conducted frequent attacks in the Peninsula since it launched its insurgent campaign in 2011. If ISIS is found to be responsible, this would mark the deadliest incident that Sinai Province has orchestrated to date. Locals have reported that the mosque was frequented by followers of Sufism, or Islamic mysticism, who are viewed as heretics by ISIS.