Egypt Policemen Killed Guarding Christmas Service

In Egypt, two policemen were killed while guarding a Coptic church south of Cairo as Coptic Christians prepared to observe the Orthodox Christmas.

Police have been searching for the suspects.

Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, according to the Julian calendar.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el Sissi attended a Christmas mass, making him the first Egyptian to attend one since president Gamal Abdel Nasser.

Attacks against Christians have risen since the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013.

Meanwhile, another police officer was killed as he tried to defuse a bomb outside of a gas station in the city earlier Tuesday. The blast also injured three other people.