Islamist gunmen attack Sinai airport -state tv

[Bosonic]

Source: Reuters

CAIRO, July 5 (Reuters) - Islamist gunmen open fire on El Arish airport in Egypt's troubled Sinai Peninsula and at three military checkpoints early on Friday, state television reported.

The attackers fired rocket-propelled grenades at the army checkpoints outside the airport, close to the border with the Gaza Strip and Israel, in the latest of a string of security incidents in the lawless region, security sources said.

It was not clear whether the coordinated attack on several army positions was in response to the military overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in Cairo on Wednesday.

Read more: http://www.trust.org/item/20130705003206-l34kf/?source%20=%20hpbreaking

[maddezmom]

1. Egypt closes Gaza border after clashes in Sinai

An Egyptian official says the country's border crossing with Gaza Strip in northern Sinai has been closed indefinitely, citing security concerns.

The decision comes hours after suspected Islamic militants attacked four sites in northern Sinai, targeting two military checkpoints, a police station and el-Arish airport, where military aircraft are stationed.

More: http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2021324457_apmlegypt.html

[another_liberal]

2. Who could have seen that coming?

Now that the Muslim Brotherhood know the ballot box holds no hope for them, who would have thought they might become radicalized and turn to violence? What a complete surprise.

[Igel]

3. Possibly.

But this kind of thing also happened with Morsi in the presidency.

In other words, since the MB had the presidency, they became radicalized and turned to violence.

But now that the MB doesn't have the presidency, they have become radicalized and turned to violence.

Why have two reasons--one during Morsi's rule and another for after--when one will do.

Moreover, this assumes all Islamists are MB. Even in Egypt the MB had to turn for support to the more conservative Salafist movement. Oops. Two kinds of Islamists. Perhaps there are more? Sure. Hezbollah is certainly Islamist. Annusra and AQ in all its "glory" are Islamist.

This might just be another in a series of such problems. It might be that the Islamists involved want to support Morsi. It may be that they figure that the Army is busy elsewhere and distracted. Hard to know, but easy to assume.

[another_liberal]

4. Your last paragraph . . .

Your last paragraph may be closest to the truth.