The Associated Press reported Sunday that the death toll from Saturday's checkpoint attack in Egypt has risen to 22 troops.
Unknown gunmen attacked a checkpoint with rocket-propelled grenades in Egypt's largest province Al Wadi Al Gedid Saturday leaving 21 security personnel dead after the grenades led to a greater explosion in a nearby ammunition warehouse. The military however updated the death toll on Sunday to 22.
The attack on Egypt's military represents the deadliest of its kind in recent years.
Funerals for the deceased are expected to take place later Sunday.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi condemned the attacks, declaring a three-day mourning period and fight on terror.
"The heinous crime that took these brave souls and spilled their blood will not go unanswered. Terrorism will be uprooted from every part of Egypt," read a statement from the President's office, as reported by AP.
The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and jihadist groups based in Sinai have often been blamed for attack on military personnel since the oust of former president Mohammed Morsi in 2013. The Brotherhood, however, released a statement Sunday condemning the attack and further accused the military for the responsibility of the attack due to its overengagement in politics.
"They have deviated from their main duty, which is to protect the nation's borders," the statement from the Brotherhood read, according to AP.
Cairo declared the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization in late 2013 and security forces have been cracking down on all Brotherhood related persons and activities since Morsi's ouster last year. Many pro-Morsi supporters have received life or death sentences for their political leanings.
