Islamic State claims responsibility for Russian plane crash in Egypt

Egypt’s branch of the Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the downing of a Russian passenger plane that crashed in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula on Saturday (October 31), the group said in a statement circulated by supporters on Twitter.

Egyptian security sources earlier on Saturday said early investigations suggested the plane crashed due to a technical fault. Russian officials made similar suggestions and appeared suspicious of Islamic State’s claim.

“The fighters of the Islamic State were able to down a Russian plane over Sinai province that was carrying over 220 Russian crusaders. They were all killed, thanks be to God,” the statement circulated on Twitter said.

The claim of responsibility was also carried by the Aamaq website which acts as a semi official news agency for Islamic State.