Christians killed in horrific New Year attack – Egypt on alert

TWO CHRISTIANS were killed in a deadly attack. . . The two men, who were brothers, were attacked by a masked gunman. The killer shot the men at their alcohol shop near Cairo in Egypt earlier today (1st Jan) security sources said. In today’s attack the gunman used a rifle, shooting at the shop from outside after pulling up on a motorcycle. The attacker fled the scene afterwards.

The incident took place just days after attacks on a Coptic church and another Christian-owned shop that killed more than 10 people. And security forces are braced for attacks against the Arab world’s largest Christian minority ahead of Orthodox Christmas celebrations.

Sale and consumption of alcohol in Egypt is legal, and it is sold in specialist shops or licensed premises. Some Islamists say it should be banned because it is forbidden by Islam.