Terror group wreaking havoc in Sinai swears allegiance to ISIS

"After entrusting God, we decided to swear allegiance to the emir of the faithful Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, caliph of the Muslims in Syria and Iraq and in other countries."

By REUTERS
Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis logo (photo credit: screenshot)
Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis logo
(photo credit: screenshot)
CAIRO - Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, Egypt's most active terror group, has sworn allegiance to Islamic State, a statement from Ansar said Monday night.
Ansar had previously told Reuters that it sought inspiration and advice from Islamic State, the radical al-Qaida offshoot that has taken over parts of Iraq and Syria, drawing US-led airstrikes as it tries to remake the map of the Middle East.
"After entrusting God, we decided to swear allegiance to the emir of the faithful Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, caliph of the Muslims in Syria and Iraq and in other countries," the statement said.
Egyptian security forces face a jihadist insurgency that has killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen since the army toppled President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood last year after mass protests against his rule.
Last week the government declared a three-month state of emergency in parts of North Sinai following attacks that killed at least 33 security personnel in some of the worst anti-state violence since Morsi's ouster.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but similar previous operations have been claimed by Ansar.