Ansar Bait al-Maqdis

ABM emerged from a number of indigenous Salafi jihadist groups in the Sinai Peninsula. Some of these groups had ties to Salafi jihadis in Gaza.{{cite web|url=https://www.inss.org.il/uploadImages/systemFiles/Wilayat%20Sinai%20The%20Islamic%20State%E2%80%99s%20Egyptian%20Affiliate%20%20Zack%20Gold.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516213646/http://www.inss.org.il/uploadImages/systemFiles/Wilayat%20Sinai%20The%20Islamic%20State%E2%80%99s%20Egyptian%20Affiliate%20%20Zack%20Gold.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 May 2017 |title=Wilayat Sinai: The Islamic State's Egyptian Affiliat |work=inss |access-date=2 April 2016 }}

ABM rose from the chaos in Sinai that began with the uprising in January 2011. Its operations increased in the wake of the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état, shifting its main target from Israel to Egyptian security forces,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/31/egypt-alqaida-terrorist-threat-ansar-beyt-almaqdis|title=Egypt faces new threat in al-Qaida-linked group Ansar Beyt al-Maqdis|work=The Guardian|date=31 January 2014|access-date=25 February 2014|archive-date=23 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623010238/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/31/egypt-alqaida-terrorist-threat-ansar-beyt-almaqdis|url-status=live}} declaring the Egyptian army and police apostates that can be killed.{{cite web|last1=Awad|first1=Mokhtar|last2=Tadros|first2=Samuel|title=Bay'a Remorse? Wilayat Sinai and the Nile Valley|url=https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/baya-remorse-wilayat-sinai-and-the-nile-valley|website=Combating Terrorism Center|access-date=10 October 2015|date=21 August 2015|archive-date=29 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929054059/https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/baya-remorse-wilayat-sinai-and-the-nile-valley|url-status=dead}}

ABM was believed to have been the main group behind terrorist activity in the Sinai.{{Cite news|title=Single terror group responsible for most attacks in Sinai, intelligence sources say|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/one-terror-network-responsible-for-most-attacks-in-south-intelligence-sources/|work=Times of Israel|date=3 October 2012|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215072744/http://www.timesofisrael.com/one-terror-network-responsible-for-most-attacks-in-south-intelligence-sources/|url-status=live}} From September 2013 to late January 2014, ABM claimed responsibility for a rapid succession of mass scale attacks throughout Egypt, including the attempted assassination of the Egyptian interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim. ABM recruited Bedouins as well as other Egyptians and people of other nationalities. Ten leaders from the group were reported to have escaped from the Sinai to Gaza and Marsa Matrouh in late 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/ansar-bayt-al-maqdis-members-escape-gaza-marsa-matrouh|title=Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis members escape to Gaza, Marsa Matrouh|work=Egypt Independent|date=9 December 2013|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-date=7 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207021447/http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/ansar-bayt-al-maqdis-members-escape-gaza-marsa-matrouh|url-status=live}}

During 2014, ABM sent emissaries to ISIL in Syria to seek financial support, weapons and tactical advice.{{cite news|title=Islamic State Sprouting Limbs Beyond Its Base|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/world/middleeast/islamic-state-sprouting-limbs-beyond-mideast.html?_r=1|work=The New York Times|date=14 February 2015|access-date=30 March 2015|archive-date=8 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708020317/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/world/middleeast/islamic-state-sprouting-limbs-beyond-mideast.html?_r=1|url-status=live}} On 10 November 2014, many members of ABM took an oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIL.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/egypts-main-jihadist-group-pledges-allegiance-islamic-state-060836737.html|title=Egypt jihadists vow loyalty to IS as Iraq probes leader's fate|date=10 November 2014|work=AFP|access-date=14 January 2017|archive-date=3 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403154135/https://news.yahoo.com/egypts-main-jihadist-group-pledges-allegiance-islamic-state-060836737.html|url-status=live}} Following this pledge, ISIL supporters within ABM formed an official branch of ISIL in the region,{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/the-islamic-states-archipelago-of-provinces|title=The Islamic State's Archipelago of Provinces|work=Washington Institute for Near East Policy|date=14 November 2014|access-date=13 March 2015|archive-date=22 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222204803/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/the-islamic-states-archipelago-of-provinces|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/sinai_jihadists_rebr.php|title=Sinai-based jihadist group rebranded as Islamic State's official arm|work=Long War Journal|date=14 November 2014|access-date=15 November 2014|archive-date=20 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120193720/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/sinai_jihadists_rebr.php|url-status=live}} known as Wilayat Sinai, the Sinai Province of the Islamic State (or ISIL-SP).

ABM or ISIL-SP was designated a terrorist organization by Egypt,{{cite web|url=http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/egyptian-court-says-ansar-bayt-al-maqdis-terrorist-organization|title=Egyptian court says Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis a terrorist organization|date=14 April 2014|publisher=Egypt Independent|access-date=7 December 2014|archive-date=16 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416175051/http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/egyptian-court-says-ansar-bayt-al-maqdis-terrorist-organization|url-status=live}} the UAE,{{cite news|date=15 November 2014 |title=UAE cabinet endorses new list of terrorist groups |url=https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2408700&Language=en |work=Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) وكالة الأنباء الكويتية |access-date=6 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129034608/https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2408700&Language=en |archive-date=29 November 2014 }} the United Kingdom,{{cite web|title=UK government Proscribed Terrorist Organisations|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/301777/ProscribedOrganisationsApril14.pdf|publisher=UK Home Office|access-date=6 May 2014|archive-date=6 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506234529/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/301777/ProscribedOrganisationsApril14.pdf|url-status=live}} and the United States.{{cite news|url=http://madamasr.com/content/us-declares-ansar-beit-al-maqdes-terrorist-group|title=US declares Ansar Beit al-Maqdes a terrorist group|date=9 April 2014|access-date=9 April 2014|work=Mada Masr|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140409173526/http://madamasr.com/content/us-declares-ansar-beit-al-maqdes-terrorist-group|archive-date=2014-04-09|url-status=dead}}

Attacks claimed by or attributed to ABM include:

• bombing of the gas pipelines Egypt to Israel and Jordan multiple times.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/07/26/supporters-of-jerusalem-claim-responsibility-for-latest-pipeline-bombing/|title="Supporters of Jerusalem" claim responsibility for latest pipeline bombing|work=Daily News Egypt|date=26 July 2012|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712173306/http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/07/26/supporters-of-jerusalem-claim-responsibility-for-latest-pipeline-bombing/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=ISIS Blows Up Egypt-Jordan Gas Pipeline|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/187471|date=15 November 2014|work=Arutz Sheva|access-date=17 November 2014|archive-date=6 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906124717/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/187471|url-status=live}}
• September 2012 southern Israel cross-border attack.
• September 2013 assassination attempt on the minister of interior Mohamed Ibrahim Moustafa.{{cite web|url=http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/sources-confirm-ex-army-officer-behind-minister-assassination-attempt|title=Sources confirm ex-army officer behind minister assassination attempt|work=Egypt Independent|date=26 October 2013|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-date=9 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609040947/http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/sources-confirm-ex-army-officer-behind-minister-assassination-attempt|url-status=live}}
• October 2013 attack on a military intelligence building in Ismailia.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/10/21/jihadists-claim-responsibility-for-ismailia-military-bombing/|title=Jihadists claim responsibility for Ismailia military bombing|work=Daily News Egypt|date=21 October 2013|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-date=16 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216001938/http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/10/21/jihadists-claim-responsibility-for-ismailia-military-bombing/|url-status=live}}
• November 2013, assassination of Mohamed Mabrouk, a security officer involved in the trial against Mohamed Morsi, who was shot dead outside his home in Nasr City.{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/86996.aspx|title=Sinai militants claim responsibility for Cairo killing|work=Ahram Online|date=20 November 2013|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930013410/http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/86996.aspx|url-status=live}}
• 24 December 2013 bombing of a police compound in Mansoura, killing at least 16 people, including 14 police officers.{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/90009.aspx|title=Mansoura death toll rises to 16, mostly policemen|work=Ahram Online|date=25 December 2013|access-date=25 December 2013|archive-date=29 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229124707/http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/90009.aspx|url-status=live}}
• 31 January 2014, a rocket was launched from the Sinai Peninsula aimed at Eilat, Israel. The Iron Dome system intercepted the rocket.{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4483361,00.html|title=Radical Salafis claim responsibility for Eilat rocket fire|work=Ynetnews|date=1 February 2014|access-date=23 November 2014|last1=Ohayon|first1=Meir|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021202/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4483361,00.html|url-status=live}}
• 20 January 2014 attack in Eilat. No damage or injuries were reported.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/salafi-group-takes-responsibility-for-eilat-rockets/|title=Salafi group takes responsibility for Eilat rockets|work=Times of Israel|date=21 January 2014|access-date=21 January 2014|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001155329/http://www.timesofisrael.com/salafi-group-takes-responsibility-for-eilat-rockets/|url-status=live}}
• 23 January 2014 attack on a police checkpoint in Beni Suef that killed 5 people.{{cite web|url=http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/ansar-bayt-al-maqdis-claims-responsibility-beni-suef-attack|title=Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claims responsibility for Beni Suef attack|work=Egypt Independent|date=23 January 2014|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911124314/http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/ansar-bayt-al-maqdis-claims-responsibility-beni-suef-attack|url-status=live}}
• January 2014 Cairo bombings that took place in late January 2014,{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/01/deadly-explosions-target-police-egypt-2014124231145815191.html|title=Deadly explosions target police in Egypt|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=24 Jan 2014|access-date=25 January 2014|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003000639/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/01/deadly-explosions-target-police-egypt-2014124231145815191.html|url-status=live}} though it later indicated that the Soldiers of Egypt group was behind one of the bombings.{{cite web|url=http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/ansar-bayt-al-maqdis-claims-responsibility-military-helicopter-crash-and-attacks|title=Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claims responsibility for military helicopter crash and attacks|publisher=Egypt Independent|date=26 January 2014|access-date=20 September 2014|archive-date=5 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605132511/http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/ansar-bayt-al-maqdis-claims-responsibility-military-helicopter-crash-and-attacks|url-status=live}}
• 25 January 2014 shooting down of a military helicopter in the Sinai.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-clashes-idUSBREA0P0CO20140126|title=Egyptian soldiers killed in Sinai as protest toll rises to 49|publisher=Reuters|date=26 January 2014|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520143250/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-clashes-idUSBREA0P0CO20140126|url-status=live}}
• 28 January 2014 assassination of Mohamed Al-Saied (who was a member of Egypt's Interior Ministry).{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/01/29/ansar-beit-al-maqdis-takes-responsibility-assassination-al-saied-army-accuses-brotherhood/|title=Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis takes responsibility for assassination of Al-Saied, army accuses Brotherhood|work=Daily News Egypt|date=29 January 2014|access-date=29 January 2014|archive-date=20 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120162951/http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/01/29/ansar-beit-al-maqdis-takes-responsibility-assassination-al-saied-army-accuses-brotherhood/|url-status=live}}
• 31 January 2014 attempted attack on Eilat. The rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome system.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/02/01/egypt-jihadists-claim-rocket-fire-israels-eilat/|title=Egypt jihadists claim rocket fire on Israel's Eilat|work=Daily News Egypt|date=1 February 2014|access-date=1 February 2014|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509201411/https://dailynewsegypt.com/2014/02/01/egypt-jihadists-claim-rocket-fire-israels-eilat/|url-status=live}}
• 16 February 2014 Taba bus bombing that killed four people, including three Korean tourists and an Egyptian bus driver.{{cite news|last=Gulhane|first=Joel|title=Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claim Taba bus bombing|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/02/18/ansar-beit-al-maqdis-claim-taba-bus-bombing/|access-date=18 February 2014|newspaper=Daily News Egypt|date=18 February 2014|archive-date=18 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218130353/http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/02/18/ansar-beit-al-maqdis-claim-taba-bus-bombing/|url-status=live}} The group warned all tourists to leave Egypt before 20 February 2014.{{cite news|last=The Associated Press|title=Egypt militants warn tourists to leave country or face attack|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.574843|access-date=18 February 2014|newspaper=Haaretz|date=18 February 2014|archive-date=18 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218100752/http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.574843|url-status=live}}
• 2 May 2014 attacks that killed 3 people in the Sinai.{{cite news|url=http://madamasr.com/content/ansar-beit-al-maqdes-claims-responsibility-sinai-attacks|title=Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claim Taba bus bombing|date=4 May 2014|access-date=6 May 2014|agency=Mada Masr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506113940/http://madamasr.com/content/ansar-beit-al-maqdes-claims-responsibility-sinai-attacks|archive-date=2014-05-06|url-status=dead}}
• on 19 July 2014 Ansar Bait al-Maqdis ambushed Egyptian army soldiers; this event is known as the 2014 Farafra ambush.
• on 28 August 2014 ABM released a video showing the beheading of 4 Egyptians accused of being Mossad spies and providing Israel with intelligence.{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Sinai-terror-group-decapitates-four-alleged-Mossad-spies-372616|title=Sinai terror group decapitates four alleged Mossad spies|date=28 August 2014|access-date=17 September 2014|agency=Jerusalem Post|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524015729/https://www.jpost.com//arab-israeli-conflict/sinai-terror-group-decapitates-four-alleged-mossad-spies-372616|url-status=live}}
• late September 2014 killing of 6 security personnel.{{cite news|url=http://en.aswatmasriya.com/news/view.aspx?id=00c3d8c1-8b35-4ae9-b17d-f698e5c02b0c|title=Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claims responsibility for latest Sinai attack|date=17 September 2014|access-date=17 September 2014|agency=Aswat Masriya|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129032830/http://en.aswatmasriya.com/news/view.aspx?id=00c3d8c1-8b35-4ae9-b17d-f698e5c02b0c|url-status=live}}
• On 8 October 2014, a faction of ABM in the Gaza Strip, calling itself the Islamic State of Gaza, launched a bomb attack on the French Cultural Center in the city of Gaza, only to issue a statement several hours later denying any responsibility for the attack.
• ABM released a graphic propaganda video claiming responsibility for the 24 October 2014 Sinai attacks that killed 28 soldiers northwest of the town of Arish. The group was also responsible for a drive-by shooting several hours later at a checkpoint in Arish that killed three soldiers.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Ansar-Bayt-al-Maqdis-posts-video-of-deadly-attack-that-killed-30-in-Sinai-381854|title=Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis posts video of deadly attack that killed 30 in Sinai|publisher=Reuters|date=15 November 2014|access-date=17 November 2014|archive-date=16 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116234420/http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Ansar-Bayt-al-Maqdis-posts-video-of-deadly-attack-that-killed-30-in-Sinai-381854|url-status=live}}

After November 2014, attacks by the group were claimed as those of ISIL-SP.

• Sinai insurgency
• Timeline of the Sinai insurgency
• Islamist anti-Hamas groups in the Gaza Strip

• Global Terrorism Database: [http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/Results.aspx?page=1&casualties_type=&casualties_max=&perpetrator=40074&count=100&charttype=line&chart=overtime&expanded=no&ob=GTDID&od=asc#results-table List of Ansar Bait al-Maqdis attacks].

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Militant Islamism in the Middle East}}

Category:2010s in Egypt

Category:2011 establishments in Egypt

Category:2014 disestablishments in Egypt

Category:Al-Qaeda allied groups

Category:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Egypt

Category:Jihadist groups in Egypt

Category:Organisations designated as terrorist by the United Kingdom

Category:Organisations of the Egyptian Crisis (2011–2014)

Category:Organizations based in Africa designated as terrorist

Category:Organizations based in Asia designated as terrorist

Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Egypt

Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by the United Arab Emirates

Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by the United States

Category:Organizations disestablished in 2014

Category:Organizations established in 2011

Category:Sinai Peninsula