Egyptian security forces eliminated 40 alleged terrorists in raids in the Giza and North Sinai regions according state media, a day after four people were killed in a tourist bus explosion next to Great pyramids
The raids, conducted at dawn Saturday, December 29, targeted three whereabouts of suspected terrorists who were planning hostile acts during the Christmas holidays, according to the state-run Al-Ahram online newspaper.
Ammunition, firearms and improvised explosive devices were recovered in significant numbers, Al-Ahram said, citing the Interior ministry statement.
The raids were ordered after the bus attack “as a continuation of the ministry’s efforts in chasing terrorist elements involved in the implementation of hostile operations seeking to destabilize the country’s security,” the statement said.
“Information was available to the national security sector about the preparation and planning of a series of terrorist attacks targeting state institutions, especially economy, tourism industry, armed forces, police and Christian houses of worship.”
Three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian tour guide were killed and at least 11 people were injured in the attack December 28, in a lively tourist area of Giza, near Cairo, at proximity of Great pyramids.
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