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Egypt Kills 12 People, Including Eight Mexican Tourists, and Then Makes Excuses for It

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Egypt, Mexico, Breaking News, International Relations, War & Conflict
"Here is the circulating permit reportedly acquired by Windows Of Egypt Tours for the Mexican Tourists," tweets Sarah El Sirgany (@Ssirgany).

“Here is the circulating permit reportedly acquired by Windows Of Egypt Tours for the Mexican Tourists,” tweets Sarah El Sirgany (@Ssirgany [1]).

Twelve people, including eight Mexican tourists, were killed [2] when a tourist convoy was attacked [3] by “a plane and helicopters” in the Western Desert, close to the Libyan border. Another 10 people, including more Mexican tourists, were injured in the attack.

Egyptian officials excused the attack saying that the tourists ventured into an off-limits area and were killed by mistake. Claims that the tourists did not have a permit to travel in the region were refuted, when netizens circulated the permit on social media.

According to journalist Louisa Loveluck:

DC-based analyst Shadi Hamid adds:

Information on the incident, which took place last night, remain sketchy, with most of the details coming from Mexican officials. Egyptian Tamer El-Ghobashy notes:

Egyptian security forces have been embroiled in fighting militants [7], some affiliated to ISIS, for years. Hundreds of people, including security and army personnel, have been killed in “anti-terror” operations.

This does not excuse the killing of tourists, while having a picnic, in a popular tourist spot. And understandably, Mexican officials are livid. Mexican President Peña Nieto condemned the attack, and called for an investigation.

Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs Claudia Ruiz Massieu makes a similar call:

Netizens shook their heads in disbelieve at the excuses made by Egyptian government with regards to the incident.

Journalist Bel Trew tweets:

She explains:

Bahraini Salma Says reacts:

And journalist Rawya Rageh concludes that this incident is “a direct outcome of a culture of absolute impunity”:

Meanwhile, the shooting of tourists leaves Egyptian journalist Mohamed El Dahshan wondering:

The pressing question now is why were the tourists killed, in a country which prides as being a mecca for tourists.