The Islamic State has reportedly spread its wings and found a like-minded partner in Egypt, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which announced its newfound union in a YouTube audio blaming “Jewish agents and their allies” for the suffering of Muslims.
The 10-minute clip includes the Sinai-based group pledging allegiance to the Islamic State and referring to the terror organization as “the emergence of a new dawn,” CNN reported.
The partnership hasn’t been independently verified yet, but military analysts say it could herald in an extremely dangerous situation in Egypt.
ABM’s attacks against the government have steadily grown bolder since 2012, CNN said. It’s feared a partnership with the Islamic State will only ratchet up the aggressiveness of the group’s attacks — as well as the body counts among government officials and civilians alike.
The Egyptian State website Ahram Online posted an article that included ABM denying its allegiance to the Islamic State. The State Department’s Jen Psaki, meanwhile, said the United States is investigating.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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