Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has claimed responsibility for two Egyptian church bombings that killed 44 people, mainly Coptic Christians, Reuters reports, citing Amaq news agency, which is affiliated with the terrorist group.
The terrorist organization said that an IS-affiliated group was responsible for the attacks in Tanta and Alexandria.
First, there was a huge blast in the St. George Church in Tanta, with at least 27 killed and another 78 wounded in the explosion, according to the Egyptian Health Ministry.
The bomb was reportedly planted beforehand in the prayer hall.
The second attack came just hours later, rocking the Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, leaving 17 people dead, including three officers, and 40 injured.
Both explosions took place on Palm Sunday, which celebrates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. The attacks were reportedly carried out by two suicide bombers.