Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, a Sinai-based jihadi group, has claimed responsibility for a car bomb explosion outside the Ismailia military intelligence building on Saturday.

 

The group justified their attack, claiming it came as part of "cleansing Egypt of the dens of crime and betrayal" in a Monday statement.

 

The attack took place because of "the repressive practices carried out by the Egyptian army against our people in Egypt, including the murdering of citizens, the demolition of homes and arbitrary arrests," Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis stated.

 

The group accused intelligence services for responsibility in this war on Egyptians which "only benefits the enemies of the nation," it said, calling the enemies "Jews and Christians."

 

The group demanded Egyptians stay away from army and police buildings, warning that they are "legitimate targets for the mujahideen."

 

A car bomb exploded near the military intelligence building on Saturday, leaving at least one person dead.

 

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm