Turkish PM condemns Egypt mosque attack

By Sorwar Alam

ISTANBUL (AA) - Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Saturday condemned a mosque bombing in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula that left over 230 people dead.

Speaking at an event for international alumni from Turkish universities, Yildirim said: "I strongly condemn the heinous attack in Egypt and offer condolence to the Egyptian people."

"Attacking people during Friday prayer is against humanity and Islam," he added.

Over 230 people were killed and scores injured when attackers bombed a mosque in the town of Bir al-Abed in North Sinai and then opened fire on fleeing worshipers on Friday.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest in modern memory.

Egyptian authorities have declared three days of mourning with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi vowing a firm response to the deadly attack.

The Sinai Peninsula has remained the epicenter of a militant insurgency since mid-2013, when the army ousted and imprisoned Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first freely-elected president, in a military coup.

Hundreds of security forces and civilians have been killed in the insurgency, which has been largely confined to the desert region.