A local affiliate of the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the blast in Cairo, in which at least nine people were killed, Reuters reported. The explosion, which took place near the ancient pyramids of Giza in Egypt, wounded 20 others. Six policemen were killed, along with three others.
The incident occurred on Thursday when a police team raided a militants’ hideout ahead of Monday’s anniversary of the 2011 revolution that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak. Local security agencies fear protests and another uprising in the region to mark the anniversary. Militants have stepped up attacks on Egyptian security forces after the army overthrew President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013.
At least five Egyptian policemen were killed in a separate incident on Wednesday when militants stormed a police checkpoint in the country’s restive North Sinai region and opened fire. The attacks have dealt a serious blow to the country's vital tourism sector.
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