While the World remains wholly focused on the developing crisis in Syria following Obama's speech Tuesday night, Egypt's new rulers are continuing to struggle with a rebellious population as two suicide bombers killed nine soldiers earlier today amidst ongoing nationwide unrest. 

The town of Rafah, in north-eastern Egypt, was shaken this morning as a pair of near simultaneous explosions struck with devastating effect when two suicide bombers slammed their vehicles into military emplacements in the town. The bombing comes immediately on the heels of the military's crackdown, which included extensive use of attack helicopters and tanks, against insurgent weapons caches and hideouts in the region, and appears to be the insurgent response to the military's unsolicited intrusions. 

Following the Egyptian military's coup in early July that removed President Mohamed Morsi from power, many in Egypt and around the world hoped the military would follow through on it's promise of finally delivering peace to the war torn country. A notable percentage of Egyptians, however, were unhappy with the fact that the military had dislodged their democratically elected president from power. 

As the months of July and August wore on, protests and violence continued to grow across the country, indicating the general population's underlying distrust of the military and its actions. Political violence is nothing new in Egypt following the coup on July 3rd, but suicide bombing is. Less than a week ago, the convoy protecting Egypt's interior minister was attacked in a car bombing, and though he escaped unharmed, that attack, as well as the one earlier this morning, indicate that tensions across the country are nearing the boiling point. 

There also remains no end in sight. The military, despite all their efforts, continues to aggravate civilians. In a recent mission designed to seek out a wanted militant the homes of more than 30 innocent civilians were attacked, leaving resident Moussa el-Manaei in despair. El-Manaei, in an interview with the New York Times, said "We used to have good relations with the military. After what I saw, I don't have words. It is a scene I will never forget in my life."

It is doubtful that any lasting resolution to this crisis will arise in the near future, as Egyptians, military and civilian alike, continue to hope for a relatively quick and agreeable end to the violence. It must be noted, however, that while the rest of the world continues to be fascinated by the Syrian problem, a country that has been on the verge of collapse for more than two and a half years continues to seethe just ought of sight and mind.

 

Read more from the New York Times here, and check out a timeline of violence in Egypt since 2011 here. 

 

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