Suspected Islamist terrorist attack against Christian Churches and hotels kill at least 207 in Sri Lanka
Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
It isn’t uncommon for Islamist terrorist attacks to kill Christian worshippers during holy periods including Easter and Christmas. Yesteryear was Egypt but today it is Sri Lanka. Hence, just like Sunni Islamists have killed Shia Muslims during holy periods in several nations including Iraq and Pakistan, the same bloodshed follows this faith endlessly. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that suspected Islamists are being blamed for the brutal terrorist attack that hit Roman Catholic Christians churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka.
The security apparatus in Sri Lanka are searching for the culprits but currently, no clear announcement is forthcoming. Yet, strong hints are blaming Islamists for the brutal events that are unfolding in Sri Lanka.
It is known that at least 207 people have perished in the well-coordinated terrorist attacks that rocked Sri Lanka. Hence, while Roman Catholics were celebrating the Christian holy festival of Easter, they were brutally killed or maimed at churches in Batticaloa, the Kochchikade area in Colombo, and Negombo. Further bloodshed flowed when luxury hotels were targeted in the capital of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the final death toll may grow further.
Reuters reports, “Agence France Presse reported that it had seen documents showing that Sri Lanka’s police chief Pujuth Jayasundara issued an intelligence alert to top officers 10 days ago, warning that suicide bombers planned to hit “prominent churches”. He cited a foreign intelligence service as reporting that a little-known Islamist group was involved.”
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, condemned the brutal terrorist attack and he called for national unity. He stated, “I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong.”
Newsweek reports, “The government has stated it believes that most of the blasts were carried out by suicide bombers and appear to have been a coordinated attack. Initial reports claimed that at least seven people had been detained in connection to the blasts, according to Defense Minister Ruwan Wijewardene. However, subsequent reports from Sri Lanka stated that only three or four individuals had been arrested, while some people were merely questioned by authorities.”
It still remains unclear which terrorist group coordinated the terrorist attacks that killed Sri Lankans and foreign nationals in such high numbers. Yet, the hallmarks and indicators suggest an Islamist terrorist attack against Roman Catholic churches and luxury hotels. However, with sensitivity often following Islamist terrorist attacks, then currently the picture remains cloudy and nothing is being stated in a concrete fashion.
https://www.newsweek.com/sri-lanka-attacks-easter-church-hotel-bombings-1402217
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