Maximum security around Cairo churches

18 Jul, 2017

Security around Christian churches in Cairo has been raised to the "highest level" on the orders of the city's security chief Khaled Abdel Aal.

The move, in response to increasing cases of terror attacks in Egypt, includes heightened surveillance by installing cameras in churches and putting bomb disposal units on patrol.

The measures come days after the shooting dead of five policemen by militants in Badrasheen, a town located 30 km south of Cairo, on 14 July.Earlier this year there were several major terror attacks against Egypt's Coptic Christian churches, including the twin bombings in Alexandria and Tanta, resulting in 44 deaths. The attacks were claimed by terror group Islamic State which is believed to be responsible for the deaths of 100 Copts in Egypt since last December.