Roundup: IS attacks in Egypt's Sinai draw international condemnation

A wave of attacks by a local Islamic State (IS) affiliate in Egypt's Sinai on Wednesday have received wide condemnation from the international community.

Militants from the Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which has pledged allegiance to the IS, launched coordinated attacks on several military checkpoints in North Sinai in the most brazen assault since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Authorities said 17 soldiers and officers plus 100 militants were killed during the clashes, which took place two days after the assassination of the country's chief prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, in a car bombing in Cairo.

WORLD CONDEMNATION

World leaders condemned the brutal attacks and expressed solidarity with Egypt in its war on terror.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon conveyed his condolences, stressing that the world body "stands firm with the people of Egypt in their fight against terrorism."

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesperson John Kirby expressed "condolences to the victims, their families, the government and the people of Egypt."

He said the perpetrators of "these cowardly acts" must be brought to justice, confirming Washington's resoluteness in its support of Egyptian efforts to combat terrorism.

Germany also condemned the terrorist attacks.

"The German foreign ministry mourns the victims of the heinous attack, and extends its condolences to the Egyptian population," the ministry said in statement Thursday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Rob Nicholson, said "Canada strongly condemns the wave of attacks against Egypt by extremists."

James Moran, EU envoy to Egypt, said that the European bloc wholeheartedly supports Egypt against terrorist attacks.

He said Egypt is a key EU partner in confronting challenges in Syria, Libya, Yemen, and and these recent attacks will further bolster the EU's cooperation with Egypt.

France, Britain, India, Russia and China have all condemned the Sinai attacks as well as public prosecutor Barakat's assassination.

ARAB SOLIDARITY

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Tunisia, Jordan, Iraq along with other Arab countries have all condemned the Sinai attacks.

In a phone conversation with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi expressed Baghdad's solidarity with Egypt.

Al-Abadi considered the Sinai terrorist attacks as a crime against all Muslims, expressing his country's disposition to cooperate with Egypt in uprooting terrorism.

Saudi's King Salman, in a condolences cable, condemned the heinous offensive and the death of Egyptian army personnel, considering it as one of the most onerous crimes in Islam since it constitutes an aggression on people's stability and security.

EGYPT RESPONSE

Egypt responded to the increasing attacks against security forces Wednesday by releasing an anti-terror law and requesting that the appeals process be curtailed, in order to attain swift justice and revenge for the martyrs.

The military launched a fierce counterattack on the militants, reportedly involving F-16 fighter jets and Apache helicopters.

Mohamed Samir, a military spokesman, said late Wednesday that the situation in North Sinai was now "100 percent under control." Endit