In the violence that exploded across Egypt on August 14, supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi attacked scores of church buildings and Christian-owned homes and businesses in response to national security forces breaking up two protest camps in downtown Cairo.
At least two Coptic Christians were killed in the reprisal attacks, which started midmorning after the armed break-up of the camps that the Muslim Brotherhood and others had occupied for six weeks. Pro-Morsi assailants attacked 27 church buildings, setting fires that gutted most of them, according to the Coptic Watani Weekly; the government reported attacks on only seven Coptic churches.
The assailants attacked a convent along with at least two Christian schools and set at least 30 Coptic-owned homes across the country on fire, along with scores of businesses. They also destroyed three Bible Society stores.
