Egypt’s Brotherhood Gets the Blame for Police Compound Bombing

Egypt’s prime minister declared the Muslim Brotherhood a “terrorist” organization after multiple explosions at the security headquarters in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura killed at least 12 and injured more than 100.

Although militants with no connection to the Brotherhood are believed to be behind the attack, the organization is suffering the aftereffects. Cabinet spokesman Sherif Shawki blamed the Brotherhood, saying it has revealed its “ugly face as a terrorist organization shedding blood and messing with Egypt’s security,” according to the state-run Middle East News Agency.

Egypt’s interim government has led an extensive crackdown against the Brotherhood and other supporters of Mr. Morsi, killing hundreds and arresting thousands more. The movement, which sat at the apex of Egypt’s political establishment only five months ago, has repeatedly been described by officials as a new enemy in the military’s self-described “war on terrorism.”

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“It is certainly possible this was a follow-up to the Ansar Bayt al Maqdis threat to target those who do not leave the security services,” says David Barnett, research associate at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and an expert on jihadist movements.

“We will only know for certain if they claim responsibility, however. Ansar Bayt al Maqdis has said on a number of occasions that it seeks to target police and military headquarters, and unfortunately, they have kept their word more than once.”

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