The guardian Egypt and Libya launch air strikes against Isis after militants post beheadings video Egypt reported that its war planes had struck Isis targets in Libya, shortly after President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi vowed revenge for the release by Isis-affiliated militants of a video of a mass killing of Christians. A spokesman for the Armed Forces General Command announced the strikes on state radio Monday, marking the first time Cairo had publicly acknowledged taking military action in neighbouring Libya. The statement said the warplanes targeted weapons caches and training camps before returning safely. It said the strikes were "to avenge the bloodshed and to seek retribution from the killers". "Let those far and near know that Egyptians have a shield that protects them," it said. President Sisi had vowed to ‘avenge the criminal killings' after release of video purporting to show killing of 21 Christians, believed to be kidnapped Egyptians Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/15/isis-post-video-allegedly-showing-mass-beheading-of-coptic-christian-hostages Euro news Egypt warns of retribution against ISIL after apparent killing of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya Egypt's president has warned his country will respond to the brutal killing by ISIL militants of 21 Egyptian Christians. A propaganda video purporting to show the eventual beheadings of the 21 migrant workers who were kidnapped in Libya has been widely condemned. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declared seven days of mourning before making delivering his warning. "Egypt reserves the right of retaliation and with the methods and timing it sees fit for retribution from those murderers and criminals who are without the slightest humanity." Read more: http://www.euronews.com/2015/02/16/egypt-warns-of-retribution-against-isil-after-apparent-killing-of-21-egyptian-/ The Jerusalem Post Coptic Church confirms 21 Egyptian Christians dead after ISIS issues said beheading video Islamic State released a video on Sunday purporting to show the beheading of a group of Egyptian Christians kidnapped in Libya, violence likely to deepen Cairo's concerns over security threats from militants thriving in the neighboring country's chaos. Fears that the crisis in neighboring Libya could spill across the border have prompted Egypt to upgrade its military hardware. Concerns about Libya: Sisi has repeatedly expressed concerns about militants based in Libya who are seeking to topple his government. Those militants have made contact with Sinai Province, a group operating from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula that has changed its name from Ansar Beyt al-Maqdis and pledged allegiance to Islamic State. With Libya caught in a chaotic power struggle between two rival factions operating their own governments, Western officials fear Islamist militants are taking advantage of the turmoil to strengthen their presence. Read more: http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Coptic-Church-confirms-21-Egyptian-Christians-dead-after-ISIS-issues-said-beheading-video-391139 AP White House: Islamic State's 'barbarity knows no bounds' The United States is condemning the purported killing of 21 Egyptians by militants in Libya affiliated with the Islamic State group as "despicable" and "cowardly." White House press secretary Josh Earnest adds in a statement Sunday that the group's barbarity "knows no bounds." Earnest says the killings underscore the need for a political resolution to the conflict in Libya. He says the situation in Libya only benefits terrorist groups, and he called on the Libyan people to unite in opposition to terrorism. Also Sunday, Secretary of State John Kerry called Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. He offered his condolences on behalf of the American people and strongly condemned the killings. Kerry and the foreign minister agreed to keep in close touch as Egyptians deliberated on a response, according to a release from the State Department. Read more: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2015/02/15/4790709_white-house-isils-barbarity-knows.html?rh=1
