Al Matafi Checkpoint attack 2017
Wednesday، 11 January 2017 - 12:49 PM

The ministry of interior said in a statement that 20 militants tried to storm in al-Matafi checkpoint in al-Arish using rocket-propelled grenades and a car bomb.
Security forces however were able to detonate the bomb before the car reached the checkpoint, killing five terrorists and injuring three others.
"Security also dismantled explosive devices that have been implanted at the checkpoint," the statement read. The attack claimed the lives of seven policemen and one civilian. Six policemen and six civilians were also injured in the attack and were transferred to a hospital for treatment.
The interior ministry added that another terrorist group attempted to carry out an attack at el-Masaeid checkpoint in al-Arish and fired at security who managed to force them to flee. A police conscript was killed during the attack.
Security forces are combing the area in search for the assailants. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.
International condemnation
- A statement by the Omani Foreign Ministry on Tuesday stressed solidarity with Egypt in the fight against terrorism. Muscat also condoled with families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
- The Yemeni Foreign Ministry said the attack violates all humanitarian values and the teachings of Islam. Such attacks only make the Egyptian people more firm in confronting terrorism and defending their country, it said in a statement. Sanaa also condoled with families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
- The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemned Monday's coward terror attack in the northern Sinai city of Al Arish that left behind scores of people killed and injured. In press statements on Tuesday, the ministry's spokesman Ahmed Jamal condoled with the Egyptian people over the victims, stressing Iraq's support for Egypt in the face of terror which targets its security.
- In a statement, the German Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed Berlin's support for Egypt in its war against terror. The statement strongly denounced all forms of terrorism, targeting international peace and security.
- “The US Embassy condemns the attack in Al-Arish today that killed several Egyptian police officers and wounded many others, including civilians,” the embassy said in a press release posted on its website. “These officers gave their lives in the line of duty helping protect their fellow citizens,” it said. “We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wish the wounded a speedy recovery,” it added. “The Embassy stands with Egypt and the Egyptian people as they build a stable, secure, and prosperous country for all citizens,” the statement concluded.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a cable of condolences to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi after the terrorist attack in Arish that killed and wounded dozens of people earlier Monday. Putin stressed the need to exert joint efforts to face terrorism, the Kremlin said in a statement. Moscow is willing to work with Cairo in the face of threats, Putin added.
- UNSC, in a released statement that was distributed by the UN Information Office in Cairo, expressed sympathy with the Egyptian government and the families of the victims. The council also asserted that terrorism in all its forms constitutes one of the most dangerous threats to international peace and security. It underlined the necessity of bringing all involved in terrorism to justice. The council member-states urged all world countries to cooperate with the Egyptian government and all authorities concerned in this regard, added the statement.
- The European Union said a terrorist attack that took place in North Sinai on Monday, leaving scores dead and wounded, is a reminiscent of the continued terrorist threat against Egypt. The EU spokesman, in a press release that was distributed here by the EU Commission in Cairo, voiced condolences to the Egyptian authorities and the families of the victims. He underlined the EU's denunciation of all forms of terrorism and asserted that the EU is siding with Egypt in its war against terrorism.
Security forces however were able to detonate the bomb before the car reached the checkpoint, killing five terrorists and injuring three others.
"Security also dismantled explosive devices that have been implanted at the checkpoint," the statement read. The attack claimed the lives of seven policemen and one civilian. Six policemen and six civilians were also injured in the attack and were transferred to a hospital for treatment.
The interior ministry added that another terrorist group attempted to carry out an attack at el-Masaeid checkpoint in al-Arish and fired at security who managed to force them to flee. A police conscript was killed during the attack.
Security forces are combing the area in search for the assailants. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.
International condemnation
- A statement by the Omani Foreign Ministry on Tuesday stressed solidarity with Egypt in the fight against terrorism. Muscat also condoled with families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
- The Yemeni Foreign Ministry said the attack violates all humanitarian values and the teachings of Islam. Such attacks only make the Egyptian people more firm in confronting terrorism and defending their country, it said in a statement. Sanaa also condoled with families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
- The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemned Monday's coward terror attack in the northern Sinai city of Al Arish that left behind scores of people killed and injured. In press statements on Tuesday, the ministry's spokesman Ahmed Jamal condoled with the Egyptian people over the victims, stressing Iraq's support for Egypt in the face of terror which targets its security.
- In a statement, the German Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed Berlin's support for Egypt in its war against terror. The statement strongly denounced all forms of terrorism, targeting international peace and security.
- “The US Embassy condemns the attack in Al-Arish today that killed several Egyptian police officers and wounded many others, including civilians,” the embassy said in a press release posted on its website. “These officers gave their lives in the line of duty helping protect their fellow citizens,” it said. “We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wish the wounded a speedy recovery,” it added. “The Embassy stands with Egypt and the Egyptian people as they build a stable, secure, and prosperous country for all citizens,” the statement concluded.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a cable of condolences to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi after the terrorist attack in Arish that killed and wounded dozens of people earlier Monday. Putin stressed the need to exert joint efforts to face terrorism, the Kremlin said in a statement. Moscow is willing to work with Cairo in the face of threats, Putin added.
- UNSC, in a released statement that was distributed by the UN Information Office in Cairo, expressed sympathy with the Egyptian government and the families of the victims. The council also asserted that terrorism in all its forms constitutes one of the most dangerous threats to international peace and security. It underlined the necessity of bringing all involved in terrorism to justice. The council member-states urged all world countries to cooperate with the Egyptian government and all authorities concerned in this regard, added the statement.
- The European Union said a terrorist attack that took place in North Sinai on Monday, leaving scores dead and wounded, is a reminiscent of the continued terrorist threat against Egypt. The EU spokesman, in a press release that was distributed here by the EU Commission in Cairo, voiced condolences to the Egyptian authorities and the families of the victims. He underlined the EU's denunciation of all forms of terrorism and asserted that the EU is siding with Egypt in its war against terrorism.
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