The Egyptian military had launched an airstrike on November 24, Friday night after a terrorist attack on Al-Rawdah mosque earlier on the same day. Officials said that the attack killed almost 305 innocents, including 27 children and wounded more than 128. However, till now none of the terror organisations has taken the responsibility for the attack.
According to Middle East News Agency (MENA), "The attackers of the mosque were carrying the Islamic State flag. Some 25-30 militants have gunned down the worshippers while performing the Friday prayer."
In a statement, officials said on Friday that the terrorist group threw bombs from the windows and doors of the mosque during the regular prayer time. After the bombarding terrorists were entered into the mosque with automatic weapons and carried a black flag with a text written on it, which said, "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet."
The witnesses said that attackers were riding five jeeps and burnt seven cars of the worshippers in the country's North Sinai region. Many of the victims were Sufi Muslim, members of Islam's mystical movement, to whom groups such as the IS consider as "infidels."
Magdy Rezk, a survivor told Reuters, "When the shooting began everyone was running, and everyone was bumping into one another. But I was able to make out masked men wearing military clothing."
On the other hand, the Suez Canal Hospital in Ismailia was almost overloaded by long queues of the victim's relatives and friends.
"My 23-years old nephew, Amir, who was working as a nurse has passed away in the attack," said Samy Mohammed, the uncle of the victim.
The heartbroken father of Amir, who is a teacher and got injured during the attack by bullets said, "I couldn't get the body of Amir and he was buried in collective graves with the others."
Later Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi gave instruction to the military forces to launch an airstrike but the army did not give any details on the number of airstrikes or any targets. However, according to the reports, the Air Force has destroyed several hotbeds, including firearms, ammunition, explosives and the bases to launch their attacks within past few hours.
On the other hand, the government who has been battling an Islamic State affiliate in the region for years has called the situation "a top emergency case of state security." Three days of mourning have been announced on Friday.
The moment after the mosque attack news came out in public, people and from all around the world started posting their comments on Twitter with #PrayforEgypt.
My thoughts and prayers are with the ones affected by the tragedy in #Egypt today ???? #StandWithEgypt #PrayForEgypt #Sinai
— Franck Ribéry (@FranckRibery) November 24, 2017
We stand with our brothers #Egypt after the attack on a mosque. We are devastated by the loss of lives and our condolences go out the families and people of #Egypt . Our hearts cry for the beautiful kids who lost their lives and families torn apart forever #PrayForEgypt ?? . pic.twitter.com/rRQfuG4NO7
— Ghana FA ?? (GFA) (@ghanafaofficial) November 25, 2017
Deeply saddened by the news about the attack. My heart is with the victims and all of the Egyptian people.#stopterrorism #egyptattack #egypt #peace #PrayForEgypt pic.twitter.com/Wdk3JUu3q1
— Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) November 25, 2017
Heartbreaking news coming out of Egypt with 184 killed & 120 wounded in a mosque attack. ???#EgyptAttack #Egypt #PRAYFOREGYPT
— Asjad Nazir (@asjadnazir) November 24, 2017
Love and prayers for Egypt???????? #nomoreviolence #peaceandlove #prayforegypt pic.twitter.com/tcFmkk9EJh
— Katherine Kelly Lang (@KatherineKellyL) November 24, 2017
Terrorism Will Never Win, #Egyptians United ??#PRAYFOREGYPT #العريش#NorthSinai#Sinai#تفجير_مسجد_الروضه pic.twitter.com/WnTCVnCb1J
— TeamGautamRodeEGY™ (@rode_egy) November 24, 2017
Reports emerging of at least 235 worshippers killed in tragic bomb and gun #SinaiMosqueAttack on mosque where #Sufi #Muslims are reported to gather regularly. Perpetrators and motive yet unknown. Paying for all those affected by this unfolding tragedy. #PrayForEgypt
— Bishop Angaelos ن (@BishopAngaelos) November 24, 2017
Thoughts and prayers for the victims and survivors in Egypt. ?? ?#prayforegypt #saynototerrorism #prayfortheworld #terrorismhasnoreligion #egypt
— Muniba Mazari (@muniba_mazari) November 25, 2017