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Egypt has today experienced the worst massacre in its recent history, after ISIS-affiliated militants stormed a mosque in the northern locality of Bir-al Abed, killing at least 235 people and injuring dozens more during Friday prayers.
Local authorities reported that a group of assailants launched a suicide attack using explosive devices and automatic fire.
The attackers split themselves into groups, with some entering the building to detonate explosives while others remained outside, ready to gun down anyone attempting to flee.
The Egyptian Government responded swiftly, sending military jets into the air. It is understood that precision strikes destroyed at least two vehicles, killing at least 15 of the attackers.
The situation was described as ‘chaotic’ and ‘catastrophic’ in the immediate aftermath of the massacre.