Insights

Reuters explore how Islamic State are trying to impose hard-line religious rule in Sinai whilst stepping up attacks on Coptic Christians in mainland Egypt

A recent Reuters report looks at how Islamic State militants are attempting to destablise Egypt by stoking sectarian tensions across the country. Since Decmeber 2016, there have been five attacks on Coptic Christain churches and cathedrals, killing at lease 92 people and injuring hundreds more. Whislt Islamic State ramp up their attacks on Christians in Egypt, they are also trying to assert hardline religious authority in the Sinai Peninsula and remote areas near Egypt’s border with Gaza. The developments reflect how Islamic State is expanding operations in the Arab world’s most populous country as the extremist group faces setbacks in Syria, Iraq and Libya, say analysts. While the group has failed to capture territory in Egypt, it is trying to stoke sectarian tensions and social unrest.