Egypt’s Interior Ministry announced on Sunday that it had thwarted a plot by Hasm — described as the armed wing of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood — to resume operations and launch attacks targeting security and economic facilities across the country.
In an official statement, the ministry said that Hasm leaders currently based in Türkiye had planned to reactivate the group by sending a highly trained operative into Egypt via an illegal desert route. The plot coincided with the circulation of a video on social media showing militants training in a desert area of a neighbouring country and threatening to carry out attacks inside Egypt.
Security forces identified senior figures behind the plan, including Yehia Moussa and other high-profile fugitives convicted in absentia for major terrorist crimes, such as the assassination of Egypt’s former public prosecutor and attempts to target the presidential plane. These figures are currently facing life sentences or death penalties.
The ministry reported that authorities tracked the movements of Ahmed Ghoneim, who had previously received multiple convictions, including a death sentence, for involvement in the killing of police officers and planning attacks against state institutions. He was located in an apartment in Giza’s Boulaq Al-Dakrour district alongside another wanted suspect, Ihab Abdel Latif.
Following a warrant issued by the Supreme State Security Prosecution, security forces raided the apartment. According to the statement, the suspects opened fire indiscriminately at police and nearby civilians, prompting officers to return fire. Both Ghoneim and Abdel Latif were killed in the exchange. A civilian bystander was also fatally wounded, and a police officer sustained injuries while attempting to assist the victim.
The ministry reaffirmed its determination to “foil terrorist plots orchestrated by the Muslim Brotherhood and affiliated groups,” adding that investigations are now under way under the supervision of the Supreme State Security Prosecution.
