View source for December 2013 Mansoura bombing

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title       = December 2013 Mansoura bombing
| partof      = the [[Post-coup unrest in Egypt (2013–14)|Post-coup unrest in Egypt]]
| image       = Egypt Dakahlia locator map.svg
| image_size  = 
| alt         = 
| caption     = Location of Dakahlia Governorate in Egypt
| map         =
| map_size    =
| map_alt     =
| map_caption =
| location    = [[Mansoura, Egypt|Mansoura]], [[Dakahlia Governorate]], [[Egypt]]
| target      = Mansoura security directorate building
| coordinates = 
| date        = {{Start date|2013|12|24|df=y}}
| time        = 1:10 am [[Egypt Standard Time|EST]]
| timezone    = [[UTC+02:00]]
| type        = [[Suicide attack|Suicide]]-[[car bomb]]ing
| weapons     = [[Improvised explosive device]]
| fatalities  = 16 
| injuries    = 150
| victims     = 
| perps       = [[Ansar Bait al-Maqdis]]
| perpetrators= 
| numparts    = 
| dfens       = 
| motive      =
}}
{{Campaignbox Post-coup unrest in Egypt (2013–14)}}
{{Campaignbox Terrorism in Egypt}}

The '''December 2013 Mansoura bombing''' occurred on the morning of Tuesday, 24 December 2013 in the [[Nile Delta]] city of [[Mansoura]] in Egypt.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-explosion-idUSBRE9BM0W420131224|title=At least 11 killed, over 100 wounded in big blast in Egypt's Nile Delta|date=24 December 2013|work=Reuters}}</ref> The target was the city's security directorate building that was partially collapsed after the attack. At least 16 people were killed, mostly policemen, while more than a hundred were injured, according to the [[Ministry of Interior (Egypt)|Ministry of Interior]].<ref name="AOUpdate">{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/89902/Egypt/Politics-/UPDATE--At-least--dead,--injured-in-Egypts-Mansour.aspx|title=15 dead, 134 injured in Egypt's Mansoura explosion|date=24 December 2013|work=Al-Ahram}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-egypt-fatal-explosion-mansoura-20131223,0,7868932.story|title=Egypt blast kills 14 in Mansoura; death toll expected to rise|date=24 December 2013|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/12/23/egypt-explosion-police-station/4183027/|title=12 dead after blast rocks Egypt police station|date=24 December 2013|work=USA Today}}</ref> No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing but Prime Minister [[Hazem Al Beblawi]], on behalf of the interim government, was quick to blame the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] of being behind the attack, labeling it a "[[terrorist organization]]" for the first time since the [[2013 Egyptian coup d'état|ouster]] of [[Mohamed Morsi]] on 3 July earlier this year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303290904579277030771629174|title=Egypt Blast Kills at Least 11, State Media Say|date=24 December 2013|work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Bomb-kills-14-in-Egypt-PM-declares-Muslim-Brotherhood-terrorist/articleshow/27828691.cms|title=Bomb kills 14 in Egypt, PM declares Muslim Brotherhood 'terrorist'|date=24 December 2013|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://world.time.com/2013/12/23/strong-explosion-rocks-egypt-police-station/ |title=Powerful Bombing at Egypt Police Station Kills 12 |date=24 December 2013 |publisher=Time World |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234238/http://world.time.com/2013/12/23/strong-explosion-rocks-egypt-police-station/ |archive-date=30 December 2013}}</ref> Egyptian authorities also stated that the militants received logistical support from [[Hamas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/90650.aspx|title=Egyptian interior minister accuses Hamas of supporting Mansoura attackers|publisher=Ahram|date=2014-01-02|access-date=2014-09-30}}</ref> [[Ansar Bait al-Maqdis]], an [[Al-Qaeda]]-linked group in the [[Sinai Peninsula]], released an online statement claiming responsibility for the blast but the government sounded determined that the Muslim Brotherhood was behind it and intensified its crackdown on the organization.<ref name="SkyAnsarBaitMaqdis">{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1186624/egypt-14-dead-in-police-headquarters-explosion|title=Egypt: 14 Dead in Police Headquarters Explosion|date=24 December 2013|publisher=Sky News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://world.time.com/2013/12/26/egypts-military-backed-rulers-brand-muslim-brotherhood-terrorist-and-extend-crackdown/|title=Egypt's Military-Backed Rulers Brand Muslim Brotherhood 'Terrorist' and Extend Crackdown|date=26 December 2013|publisher=Time World}}</ref> The incident is now widely believed by many to be a turning point in the nation's history as the future of both the Islamists and Egypt's stability remain shadowed and unclear with several violent clashes and other bombings taking place across the country following its ban.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euronews.com/2013/12/27/egypt-fatal-clashes-and-hundreds-more-arrests-in-muslim-brotherhood-crackdown/|title=Egypt: Fatal clashes and hundreds more arrests in Muslim Brotherhood crackdown|date=27 December 2013|publisher=Euronews|access-date=29 December 2013|archive-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230003628/http://www.euronews.com/2013/12/27/egypt-fatal-clashes-and-hundreds-more-arrests-in-muslim-brotherhood-crackdown|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/tahir-square-tales-egypt/2013/dec/28/series-bombing-threatens-egypts-future-constitutio/|title=A series of bombing threatens Egypt's future as a constitutional state|date=28 December 2013|work=The Washington Times}}</ref>

==The explosion==
Details surrounding the bombing still remain unclear whether it was one or multiple bombs.<ref name="AOEW">{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/89949/Egypt/Politics-/As-the-dust-settles,-devastation-hits-Mansoura-aft.aspx|title=As the dust settles, devastation hits Mansoura after the blast|date=24 December 2013|work=Al-Ahram}}</ref> According to a military statement, a car bomb was involved, while a security source from the Ministry of Interior mentioned a truck containing massive amount of highly explosive material was the cause of the attack. Some eyewitnesses also told prosecutors that they had seen a truck drive into the compound's restricted parking area seconds before the blast. However, explosive experts have not yet been able to fully identify the cause of the explosion and are still examining the site to determine whether the vehicle had been remotely detonated or exploded through a timer.<ref name="AOEW"/><ref name="DNE1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/12/24/deadly-mansoura-explosion-kills-15/|title=Deadly Mansoura explosion kills 15|date=24 December 2013|work=Daily News Egypt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/89932/Egypt/Politics-/An-explosivesladen-truck-maybe-behind-Mansoura-bla.aspx|title=An explosives-laden truck maybe behind Mansoura blasts: Security source|date=24 December 2013|work=Al-Ahram}}</ref> The interior ministry and the military also ruled in the possibility of [[suicide bombing]] to be the cause of the attack with initial findings showing body parts inside an exploded vehicle near the site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/89977/Egypt/Politics-/Suicide-car-bomb-caused-Mansoura-blast-Interior-mi.aspx|title=Suicide car bomb caused Mansoura blast: Interior ministry|date=24 December 2013|work=Al-Ahram}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-12/25/c_132993496.htm|title=Suicide bomber blamed for Egypt's security HQ explosion, gov't vows full implementation of roadmap|date=25 December 2013|agency=Xinhua News Agency|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125021851/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-12/25/c_132993496.htm|archive-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> ''[[Al-Ahram]]'' quoted an anonymous security source who said that two bombs exploded at the same time with the first exploding on a higher floor in the directorate while the second detonated in a car next to the building.<ref name="AOUpdate"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/386429/egypt-car-bomb-at-police-building-kills-14|title=Car bomb attack on Egypt police building kills 14|date=24 December 2013|work=Bangkok Post}}</ref> A third bomb in another car was reportedly defused.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/175479|title=At Least 14 Dead in Explosion at Security Center in Egypt|date=24 December 2013|publisher=Arutz Sheva}}</ref>

==Impact==
===Property damage===
The bomb resulted in the collapse of the façade of the directorate with walls ripped apart from the five-story building and mounds of rubble piled up around it. It had also inflicted massive damage on surrounding buildings including the city council, National Theatre and the United Bank.<ref name="AOEW"/><ref name="DNE1"/> Port-Said Street, one of the city's largest avenues which lies close to the building, was strongly devastated with dozens of shop windows and displays lying in ruins and the city theatre has completely collapsed. Charred, crumpled and overturned cars were also scattered all around the scene as prosecutors and explosives experts examined them.<ref name="AOEW"/> Thousands of residents reportedly helped with the rescue operations and later returned home once victims of the blast were transferred to area hospitals.<ref name="AOUpdate"/>
Many families had no homes, or food.

===Deaths and injuries===
Overall, 16 people were killed and over 100 were injured.<ref name="JOTW">{{cite web|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/160530/death-toll-from-egypt-39-s-mansoura-blast-rises-to-16.html|title=Death toll from Egypt's Mansoura blast rises to 16|date=26 December 2013|publisher=Journal of the Turkish Weekly|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001823/http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/160530/death-toll-from-egypt-39-s-mansoura-blast-rises-to-16.html|archive-date=31 December 2013}}</ref> The deaths were reported to be 14 officers and conscripts and two civilians. Forensic investigators concluded on Wednesday their autopsy of the bodies of the victims with their injuries, mostly affecting the abdomen, chest and head, were caused by metal fragments from the explosion that were later extracted from the corpses. One of the fatalities, a woman, died beneath the debris of the partially collapsed building after suffering from cerebral hemorrhage and injuries to her lungs and ribs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/90009/Egypt/Politics-/Mansoura-death-toll-rises-to-,-mostly-policemen.aspx|title=Mansoura death toll rises to 16, mostly policemen|date=25 December 2013|work=Al-Ahram}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2209681&Itemid=1|title=Egypt: 16 Killed in Attack, Says Forensic Report|date=25 December 2013|publisher=Prensa Latina}}</ref>

The number of injured is estimated to be 134, with thirty-one of them being treated in hospitals in Mansoura and Cairo according to Ahmed Kamel, Health Ministry spokesman.<ref name="AOUpdate"/><ref name="JOTW"/> ''Al-Ahram'' reported that most of the injured's cases were stable and that the three city hospitals admitting the majority of the cases were well equipped and efficient in dealing with the cases. Thousands of the city's residents heeded official calls to donate blood in area hospitals. However, doctors began turning away potential donors as blood banks acquired large quantities of blood.<ref name="AOUpdate"/><ref name="AOEW"/>

==Responsibility==
[[Ansar Bait al-Maqdis]], which is currently engaged in an [[Sinai insurgency|armed confrontation]] with the government in the lawless regions of the Sinai, has released an online statement claiming responsibility for the bombing and identified the name of the perpetrator as Abu Mariam. In the statement they threatened the government forces to "quit their service in the militias of [Defense Minister Abdel Fattah] al-Sisi and [Interior Minister] Mohamed Ibrahim, and learn from the fate of their colleagues [who were killed in the incident]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/ansar-bayt-al-maqdis-claims-responsibility-mansoura-bombing|title=Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claims responsibility for Mansoura bombing|date=25 December 2013|work=Egypt Independent}}</ref> Another comment by the group on an Islamist forum read:
<blockquote>"Your brothers in Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis, with the grace of God, were able to target the Dakahlia police headquarters"<ref name="AhramAnsarBaitMaqdis">{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/89992/Egypt/Politics-/Sinais-Ansar-Beit-AlMaqdis-claim-responsibility-fo.aspx|title=Sinai's Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claim responsibility for Egypt's Mansoura blast|date=25 December 2013|work=Al-Ahram}}</ref></blockquote>
They have also called several times on the country's security forces before the incident to abandon their positions or "face death" at the hands of its fighters and were responsible for several previous terrorist attacks in the Sinai Peninsula.<ref name="SkyAnsarBaitMaqdis"/><ref name="AhramAnsarBaitMaqdis"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/14-die-in-bomb-attack-on-police-hq-in-egypt-29864168.html|title=14 die in bomb attack on police HQ in Egypt|date=24 December 2013|work=Irish Independent}}</ref>

==Domestic response==
Prime Minister [[Hazem Al Beblawi]] described the bombing as the "most heinous form of terrorism" and vowed that the perpetrators behind the attack will be brought to justice.<ref name=aje>{{cite news|title=Deadly blast rocks Egyptian police station|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/12/deadly-explosion-rocks-mansoura-20131223235817146228.html|access-date=26 December 2013|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=24 December 2013}}</ref> Beblawi vowed to hunt down the perpetrators of the explosion saying that the incident was "an act of terrorism that aims at frightening the people and obstructing the roadmap. The black hands behind this act want to destroy the future of our country," and added that the state will do its utmost to pursue the criminals who executed, planned and supported this attack.<ref name="AOUpdate"/> In addition, acting President [[Adly Mansour]] announced three days of national mourning.<ref name=aje/> After the attack, the Egyptian government considered the Muslim Brotherhood to be a terrorist organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25515932|title=Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood declared 'terrorist group'|publisher=BBC|date=25 December 2013|access-date=13 January 2014}}</ref>

==International response==
{{Empty section|date=January 2014}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{2011–present Egyptian civil unrest}}

{{coord missing|Egypt}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mansoura bombing}}
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Egypt in 2013]]
[[Category:Mansoura, Egypt]]
[[Category:Suicide car and truck bombings in Egypt]]
[[Category:Mass murder in 2013]]
[[Category:Egyptian Crisis (2011–2014)]]
[[Category:December 2013 events in Egypt]]
[[Category:December 2013 crimes in Africa]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in Egypt]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2013]]
[[Category:21st-century mass murder in Egypt]]
[[Category:Suicide bombings in 2013]]
[[Category:Car and truck bombings in 2013]]
[[Category:2013 murders in Egypt]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents involving vehicular attacks in Africa]]
[[Category:2010s vehicular rampage]]
[[Category:2013 road incidents in Africa]]
[[Category:Road incidents in Egypt]]
[[Category:2013 building bombings]]
[[Category:Building bombings in Egypt]]
[[Category:Attacks on police stations in Egypt]]
[[Category:Attacks on police stations in the 2010s]]