Death toll in Egypt mosque attack rises to 305

The death toll aftera militant attack on a mosque in Egypt's North Sinai hasrisen to 305 killed, including 27 children, and 128 more peoplewere wounded, MENA state news agency said on Saturday.

Gunmen attacked theal-Rawdahmosque during Friday prayers, setting off explosives,shooting worshippers and blocking their escape routes.

The militantstargeted a mosque frequented by Sufis, members of a mystic movement within Islam. Islamic militants, including the local affiliate of ISIS (Islamic State in Syria and Iraq), consider Sufis heretics because of their less literal interpretations of the faith.

Egypt's chief prosecutor NabilSadeq saidin a statement the attackwascarried out by 25 to 30 men who arrived at the mosque in the small town of Bir al-Abd in five all-terrain vehicles. He saidthe militants stationed themselves at the mosque's main door and 12 windows before opening fire on worshippers inside.

They also torched seven cars belonging to the worshippers that were parked outside.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but ISIS has repeatedly declared that it views Sufis as heretics and vowed to rid Sinai, and Egypt, of them. Millions of Egyptians practise Sufi rituals, like reciting poetry, dancing and singing as means to be closer to God.

• Attack on Sufi mosque in Egypt's Sinai leaves at least 235 dead

Egypt's military says warplanes have struck several vehicles that may have been used in the attack..

The military's Saturday statement said the vehicles were hit in the vicinity of the previous day's attack in Bir al-Abd.