Egypt Brotherhood rejects 'links' to Sinai violence

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood (MB) movement says a recently posted video by Daesh-linked Takfiri militants proves its supporters have no connection with the ongoing violence across the country's troubled Sinai Peninsula, Press TV reports.

The Brotherhood said in a statement on Friday that Egypt's military-backed government has “falsely claimed” the political group’s alleged involvement in the ongoing terror attacks across Sinai.

However, the Muslim Brotherhood would continue to condemn the violence being committed by the junta's forces against the people of Sinai, it added. The statement also reiterated the Brotherhood's continued rejection of the “illegitimate coup” by the Egyptian military against the democratically-elected government of Mohamed Morsi more than two years ago.

The Brotherhood statement comes after a recent video by militants from the Velayat Sinai terror group strongly criticized Brotherhood leaders over the group's commitment to the democratic process for change, especially after the January 2011 uprising.  The militant group also described  the Brotherhood as "bankrupt" due to its peaceful and democratic approach.

Also in mid July 2015, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood accused the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group of serving the interests of the North African country’s military-backed government.

Daesh’s “catastrophic” activities are hindering Muslim Brotherhood’s efforts to help get Egypt’s ousted President Morsi back to his “legitimate post,” Ahmad Nassar, the media spokesman for Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), said in a statement.

Brotherhood leaders say Daesh’s actions are used by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as a pretext to put more pressure on the movement. Sisi accuses the Brotherhood of having ties with Daesh, a charge the group denies.

Since the overthrow of Morsi by the ex-military chief and current president, Sisi, in July 2013, Egyptian authorities have harshly cracked down on Morsi’s supporters.

Hundreds of people have been killed ever since and many of the Brotherhood members and supporters have been sentenced to death or long jail terms.

The security situation has worsened in Egypt, particularly in the volatile Sinai Peninsula, following Morsi’s ouster.

Militants from the Velayat Sinai terror group, previously known as the Ansar Bait al-Maqdis, have claimed responsibility for most of the attacks in Sinai. The group pledged allegiance to Daesh terrorists last November.

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