Terrorism will justify Egypt political repression

Significance

The ministry said that the area was not the intended target; a car laden with explosives was involved in a collision with other vehicles, resulting in the explosion. Following the Interior Ministry statement, President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi said the state is determined to "pull out terrorism by the roots."

Impacts

• Sisi exploits his role as a front-line opponent of terrorism to gain Western tolerance for his rule, if not outright support.
• It will remain difficult to assess security: journalists are banned from the Sinai and discouraged from investigating incidents elsewhere.
• Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has used Muhammad Morsi's overthrow as proof that only violence can remove Egypt’s 'deep state'.