Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi has ordered the government to provide housing to Christians fleeing violence on the Sinai peninsula, the president’s office said.
During a meeting with senior government officials, the president also told the heads of Egyptian security services to “fight back against attempts to undermine stability in Egypt and to thwart plans by radical groups to intimidate the citizens of the country,” according to the office’s statement issued on Saturday.
Earlier this week, Egyptian media reported that at least 38 Christian families had fled Sinai due to increasing attacks by extremists. The families have been relocated to the neighboring Ismailia province and are being provided help by the Coptic church and the government.
At least seven Christians have reportedly died as a result of escalating violence in Sinai.