A terrorist group called Lions of the Islamic State in Egypt has claimed responsibility for the Sinai attack, which left 33 armed forces personnel dead and injured 29 others.
In a statement circulated on Twitter, the group disclosed affiliation to the terrorist Islamic State group and that they seek establishing ‘state of Islam’. They also confirmed their responsibility for the attack.
The group renewed its allegiance to the IS leader abu Bakr al-Baghdady and threatened a war against Egypt to reach Jerusalem and the White House.
Despite being circulated by the IS members, they confirmed that the statement was untrue, especially after being removed by the group’s media office from the news and statements section. They also called for revising the official Twitter page of Andar Bayt al-Maqdis, which denied the news on Sinai attack.
A former Jihadi source, close to the Jihadi Salfists in Sinai, said “the statement was circulated by regular members in a section for reaction to news and incidents, while official statements are posted by admins of the website or a correspondent member, thus the statement is untrue.”
The source added that Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis did not change its name to Lions of the Islamic State, as claimed, and it will keep its name.
Sabra al-Qassemy, former Jihadi leader, said, “the statement is doubted, for not being released via the official means of jihadi factions.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
