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What's behind uptick of attacks in Cairo?

A spate of terror attacks in Egypt could have to do with boosting the morale of Muslim Brotherhood supporters in addition to the upcoming verdicts and sentencing involving former President Mohammed Morsi and other Brotherhood figures.
A masked member of security forces is pictured as they secure Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, November 11, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany - RTX2T83N
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CAIRO — While Egypt’s northern Sinai region has been associated with terrorism in recent years, there are concerns the violence could be spreading to Cairo. The Cairo governorate — which includes Egypt’s capital and its suburbs, and is highly populated — has witnessed five terrorist attacks in the span of less than three months, from Aug. 6 until Nov. 4.

The so-called Hasm movement claimed responsibility Aug. 6 for the failed assassination attempt on former Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa. On Sept. 30, the movement also claimed another failed assassination attempt on Assistant Attorney General Zakaria Abdul Aziz, who was targeted with an improvised explosive device (IED).

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