Cairo [Egypt], Apr 19 : The Islamic State (ISIS) group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a police checkpoint near Egypt's St.
Catherine's Monastery in Sinai late Tuesday. The militants opened fire from an elevated hilltop overlooking the police checkpoint just outside the monastery, which is located in a remote desert and mountainous area in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula, according to a statement by the Interior Ministry.
After an exchange of gunfire, the attackers fled the scene, while some of the gunmen were wounded. According to SITE Intelligence Group, the ISIS-affiliated Amaq news agency announced that the group's militants carried out the attack near St.
Catherine. This is the first time the ISIS has attacked a monastery. It comes shortly before a planned visit by Pope Francis to Egypt next week. At least one policeman died and four others were injured in the attack. The monastery lies at the foot of Mount Sinai, famous as the spot where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
The area is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and is visited by thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year.
The attack came several days after two bombings on churches claimed by ISIS group that killed dozens.
Source: ANI
