“Let those far and near know that Egyptians have a shield to protect and safeguard the security of the country and a sword that amputates terrorism and extremism,” the spokesman added. It is the first time Egypt has publicly confirmed launching airstrikes against the group in neighbouring Libya, where extremist groups, threatening both countries, have grown rapidly following the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
In a televised speech hours after the release of the IS video late Sunday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt would choose the “necessary means and timing to avenge the criminal killings”. After the early morning Libya operation Monday, Sisi paid a visit to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo to mourn the victims. Egypt Sunday declared a seven-day period of mourning for the victims. Libya’s air force, meanwhile, announced that it had launched strikes in the eastern city of Darna, an extremist base that was taken over by an IS affiliate last year. (IANS)