Egypt: Attempted attack on Alexandria's St Mark's Coptic Cathedral July 15

Event

An armed man has been detained by police at the entrance to St Mark's Cathedral in the northern coastal town of Alexandria, after attempting to attack a security officer who stopped him on Saturday, July 15. Though no serious injuries were reported, the attempted attack highlights the threat in and around Coptic Christian locations in the country and the need to exercise vigilance.  Heightened security measures should be expected.

Context

On July 14 Egyptian Coptic leaders instructed their followers around Egypt to cancel all activities outside churches for the month of July after receiving notice of a security threat targeting members of the Coptic community.

The notice comes after months of deadly attacks on Egyptian Christians throughout Egypt by Islamic State (IS)-linked militants. In April, St Mark's Cathedral was targeted in coordinated Palm Sunday attacks, which also targeted a church in Tanta, killing 45 people.

The Christian community has been targeted in a number of violent attacks, predominantly in the northern Sinai region. Discrimination against Christians, who make up about 10 percent of the population, has long been a delicate subject in predominantly Muslim Egypt. Copts say they suffer social prejudice and workplace discrimination.

Advice

Due to the prevailing threat of terrorism, individuals throughout Egypt should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly vulnerable to an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). All travel to northern Sinai is advised against; the authorities maintain a media blackout and special security zones in the region due to the persistent terrorist campaign of Sinai Province.