A new video, purportedly showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians who were taken hostage by the Islamic State (IS) in Libya, has emerged online.
The abducted Egyptian workers were Coptic Christians and were captured by the IS in December and January from the coastal town of Sirte in eastern Libya, which is now controlled by the terror outfit, reported the BBC.
The video clip showed a group of hostages dressed in orange clothing, being forced to the ground before being beheaded.
It was posted by Libyan jihadists who have pledged allegiance to the IS. A caption accompanying the clip made it clear that the group was targeted because of their faith.
While declaring seven days of national mourning, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned that the nation will respond "in any way it sees fit." He added that Egypt and the whole world were engaged in a "fierce battle with extremist groups carrying extremist ideology and sharing the same goals.