ISIL posts photos of 21 Egyptian hostages, with conflicting accounts

World Today

There’s outrage in Cairo, after the Islamic State posted images online of 21 Egyptian hostages. The terror group claimed those pictures were taken moments before the hostages were executed. The pictures have caused an uproar in Egypt. CCTV’s Yasser Hakim reported this story from Cairo.

The Egyptian government said it’s investigating if the men are still alive as there have been contradicting reports about their fate. For example, another statement by the group said it’s giving authorities 72 hours to release militants held in jail in Cairo, before it executes the 21 Egyptians.

Families of the men have demonstrated on Friday and pleaded with government to take action.

“Mr. President please bring our boys back. You said you are our father figure, I voted for you, please bring our boys back,” said one man named Eissa, whose brother is one of the hostages.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered the evacuation of Egyptians from Libya, raising speculation that Egypt could attack ISIL inside Libya.

“It’s sensitive with the instability here. They should seek other means rather than military intervention to avoid more bloodshed for Egyptians,” Cairo resident Ahmed Tamer said.

Another Cairo resident said the government should avoid conflict.

“If they are still alive, we should seek diplomatic means to release them, if they are killed then I would support any action from Egypt,” Cairo resident Khaled Rahim said.

Jordan’s King Abdullah ordered air strikes on ISIL strongholds in Syria after the group recently executed a Jordanian pilot. U.S. President Barack Obama has also urged Congress to approve military force against ISIL.

While it’s unclear of Egypt’s next move, many question if the Egyptian army can even fight a new front in Libya. The army is already pre-occupied with a war on terrorists in northern Sinai, a crackdown on the outlawed Muslim brotherhood, and securing volatile borders with Gaza.