Egypt's Christians fearful after IS killing in Sinai
The latest killing of a Christian man in Sinai by the Islamic State has brought back to Egypt's Christians memories of past attacks on churches by the terrorist group, even as the Coptic Orthodox Church appeared defiant.
CAIRO – Fear is reigning among Egypt's Christians following the killing of a coreligionist by a branch of the Islamic State (IS) in northern Sinai.
Nabil Habashi was shot and killed by IS Sinai after the terrorist organization accused him of collaborating with the Egyptian army and police fighting its militants in Sinai.
IS Sinai posted a 13-minute video April 17 in which it shows Habashi's killing, reviving fears among Egypt's Christian minority of a potential new wave of attacks against them.
"These incidents incite fears among the Christians, especially in the light of repeated attacks against them by Islamist groups in past years," Christian lawyer and activist Ihab Ramzi told Al-Monitor. "I think state authorities will need to work hard to protect the Christians in the coming period."
