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Sinai Mosque Attack Update: Death Toll Rises To 184
Suspected militants have launched a bomb and gun attack on a mosque in Egypt’s North Sinai province, killing at least 184 people, state media say.
Witnesses say the al-Rawda mosque in the town of Bir al-Abed, near al-Arish, was targeted during Friday prayers.
Local police said men in four off-road vehicles opened fire on worshippers, AP reported.
One report said the target appeared to be supporters of the security forces who were praying at the mosque.
Locals are also quoted as saying that followers of Sufism, or Islamic mysticism, regularly gathered at the mosque. Islamist jihadist groups, including so-called Islamic State (IS), see Sufis as heretics.
President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi is to meet security officials to discuss the incident, Egypt’s private Extra News TV reported.
Egypt has declared 3 days of mourning in remembrance of the victims.
