Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has condemned a terrorist attack in El Arish, North Sinai Province, Egypt, on Thursday night (Jan 29) that killed at least 29 people, including military personnel and civilians, and injured several others.

Expressing hope that the protection of civilians will be guaranteed, the Indonesian government has offered its condolences to the Egyptian government and the families of those killed in the attack.

According to the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, there are no Indonesian casualties in the attack.

The Indonesian government has been constantly communicating with its embassy in Cairo and has been closely monitoring the situation in Egypt. It has urged all Indonesian nationals in Egypt to stay alert and cautious.

Indonesian citizens in Egypt have been told to keep in touch with the embassy in Cairo through a contact person, Nugroho Aribimo, on +201 024 636 090 and also with fellow Indonesians living in the country.

According to bbc.com, a militant group in Sinai Province, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, has claimed to have carried out the "extensive, simultaneous" attacks.

They represent some of the worst anti-government violence in Egypt for months and indicate a previously unseen level of coordination, correspondents and analysts observed.

Egypts President has cut short a visit to Ethiopia following the attacks.

Tensions have also been brewing across Egypt this week amid protests marking the anniversary of the 2011 uprising that had ousted then leader Hosni Mubarak.

Security officials revealed that rockets were fired at police offices, a military base, and a military hotel in El-Arish before a car bomb exploded at the rear gate of the military base. Several army checkpoints in the city were also targeted.

The al-Ahram newspaper said its El-Arish office, which stood opposite the hotel and military base, had completely been destroyed.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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