Interior Min. raises security alert across country

CAIRO – 29 December 2017: In the wake of the foiled terrorist attack that hit Church of Great Martyr Mina in Helwan, Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar called on security officials to raise the security alert to the maximum level across the country.

He further underscored the need for a heightened security presence in the streets, squares and venues where celebrations are being held, as well as vital installations. Regular security patrols are also ordered to be increased, and more traffic controllers are to be stationed on highways and main roads.

Concerning the security measures of churches, Ghaffar ordered security officers to be unrelenting in dealing with any potential attempts to break the law, and to install extra electronic entry gates in the vicinity of churches. He further ordered the creation of a 180-meter exclusion zone around churches.

On Friday morning, two gun-wielding militants opened fire at the Church of Great Martyr Mina during a drive-by shooting. One of the militants was fatally shot by the police guarding the church, while the second one managed to escape.

According to the Health Ministry, 10 citizens were killed and five others were injured and transferred to a nearby hospital for further treatment.