Highlights:
-Bomb explosion in famous Cairo bazaar killed one French tourist and injured 24 others
-Local authorities arrested eleven suspects shortly after the attack
-Analysts believe the recent attack is likely an extremist response to the recent conflict in Gaza, similar attacks are likely to continue in the near term
On February 22, 2009, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Cairo, Egypt’s busy Khan el-Khalili bazaar, killing one 17-year-old French student and injuring 24 others . The blast also injured one German, three Saudis and four Egyptians, six are thought to be in serious condition. Many of those injured were among the group of 54 teenagers from Paris. A bomb disposal team safely dismantled a second bomb, which failed to detonate.
The explosion happened at an open-air café in the popular tourist attraction and near the famous Hussein mosque. Local police believe the bomb was placed under a stone bench between the famous Hussein Mosque and Hussein Hotel. Egyptian police have detained eleven people for questioning and further investigations are underway.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack; however, analysts believe a group of disgruntled Egyptians – discontent with the government’s stance on the recent conflict in Gaza – are responsible for the crude bomb attacks yesterday. Although this was not the first time one of Cairo’s major tourist attractions has been targeted for an attack, it is noteworthy that non-terrorist related extremist groups are using terror tactics to call attention to their disapproval of the Egyptian government and to their hatred of Western tourists. We believe that as the situation in the Gaza strip continues to flare, it is likely that similar attacks against Westerners and other tourists will continue in the near to mid-term.
Khan el-Khalili Attacks Likely Reaction to Gaza
Khan el-Khalili was last targeted on April 7, 2005, when three people, including an American and a French tourist were killed . However, in that instance, the terrorist organization, Islamic Brigades of Pride in Egypt, had claimed responsibility for the attack. Similar to the 2005 attack, the IED in yesterday’s bombing was also “a homemade device” consisting of “powder and nails.” However, unlike the attack four years ago, no one has laid claim to Sunday’s bombing. This suggests that a group of disapproving Egyptians, who are angry at the government’s level of assistance to the Palestinians, are most likely to blame for the attack. Since the outbreak of the recent HAMAS-Israel conflict in Gaza, morale among most Egyptians has remained low. We believe that the recent attacks stemmed from such popular sentiment, as extremist groups have become more radicalized as a result from the conflict in recent months.
Attacks Against Tourists May Continue in the Mid-Term
Egypt has experienced a number of terrorist attacks in the past; however, the most significant attacks have been in the Sinai Peninsula.
•In April 2006, 22 people were killed and 160 injured when three simultaneous explosions occurred in the resort town of Dahab . The attack was later claimed by the Egyptian Tawhid wal Jihad militant Islamic Sinai Bedouin group.
•In July 2005, 64 people were killed and 114 injured when three truck bombs struck different locations in the resort town of Sharm el Sheikh . The Egyptian Tawhid wal Jihad group claimed the attacks, which were praised by al-Qaeda.
Of note, previous attacks targeting tourists in Egypt have been carried out by terrorist organizations with the intent of injuring the nation’s economy and driving Westerners out of the country.
However, the recent attack in Cairo was most likely not carried out by terrorists, but by disgruntled Egyptians who are displeased with their government and who have learned how to grab international attention from terrorist techniques. It is likely that more attacks against Westerners in Cairo and other tourist areas may continue, as there has been no long-term resolution to the Gaza conflict. Many Egyptians will continue to protest and engage in other civil unrest activities to show their disapproval of the government and its influence over the region.
