Trump condemns 'heinous terrorist attacks' on Egyptian churches

President Trump has phoned Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to condemn the “heinous terrorist attacks” against two Coptic Christian churches, the White House said Monday.

During a Sunday telephone call, Trump conveyed “his deepest condolences to Egypt and to the families who lost loved ones.” He also expressed confidence in the Egyptian leader’s “commitment to protect Christians and all Egyptians.”

Bombs went off at churches in the cities of Tanta and Alexandria, killing at least 49 people and wounding more than 100, according to Egyptian state media.

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the Palm Sunday attacks.

ISIS’s increased targeting of Egypt’s Christian communities in recent months was a topic of discussion last week at Trump’s first White House meeting with Sisi.