Egypt Unrest Update: 2 Injured In Bomb Explosion In Cairo As ISIS Threat Grows

At least two people were injured when a bomb exploded in a middle-class neighborhood of Cairo, the Middle East North Africa (MENA) state news agency reported Sunday. No person or group has claimed responsibility for the blast, though unrest has been growing in the nation during the past several months as a local branch of the extremist Islamic State group has gained ground, particularly in northern Egypt.

Attacks by sympathizers of the group also known as ISIS initially were contained to Sinai and other areas of northern Egypt, though attacks on the capital city of Cairo have become increasingly frequent. The insurgency group Sinai Province (SP), which pledged allegiance to ISIS November 2014, often claims credit for the assaults. The bomb Sunday was detonated outside of Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and caused only minor structural damage to the building, the Associated Press reported.

Only two injuries were reported near the building, which is situated on a busy downtown street. The condition of the two injured people was not known by Sunday night, MENA reported, quoting the local health ministry.

As fears concerning Islamic militants in Egypt grew, the Egyptian foreign ministry carried out an airstrike Monday on several Mexican tourists and their Egyptian tour guides who were picnicking in the desert. The tour group had been mistaken for insurgents, and the misplaced airstrike killed 12 people and wounded 10 others, inciting anger among international authorities, particularly in Mexico.

Amid the growing unrest, several members of Egypt's government, led by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, resigned Sept 12 amid mounting allegations of corruption. Sisi swore in several members of a new cabinet Saturday, to be led by newly appointed Prime Minister Sherif Ismail.