It was the deadliest terrorist attack Egypt has faced in the modern era. A group of two dozen Islamist extremists, riding in SUVs and loaded with enough explosives, weapons, and bullets to lead a platoon, surrounded a Sufi mosque in the northern Sinai town of Bir al-Abed and opened fire. Positioning themselves by the exit and entry points of the mosque and along the windows, the militants detonated explosives and started spraying bullets at worshipers inside. Those who tried to escape the violence were blocked by burning vehicles the militants set on fire. Ambulances sent to the scene were fired upon.

By the time the assault ended, 305 people lay dead, Egypt’s government vowed extreme vengeance and revenge for those who were killed, and an entire nation was left shocked at the horrific violence.