Let's not be surprised by IS techniques

Egypt's media has been severely shocked by the video released by the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as ISIS) showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya, but they seem to have forgotten that this is not the first of its kind.

The decapitation of journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burnt alive and the crucifixion of Syrians in Raqqa are just a few of the brutal crimes carried out by this group. So why has this atrocity surprised Egypt?

It seems as though the media has suddenly "discovered" IS, and remain confused and shocked by the viciousness of this group. Television and social media channels in Egypt did not shy away from sharing the complete video, showing the bloodshed and decapitated bodies.

Debates have begun about the "Hollywood" techniques used in making the video. Conspiracy theories are circulating regarding the identities of members of the group, their accents and methods of killing being analysed.

Egypt media did not shy away from sharing the complete video, showing the bloodshed and decapitated bodies.

But, Egypt, this is IS. This is how the group operates. These are the techniques they use in their killing methods and their videos.

And this is how brutal they really are. None of this is anything new - apart from the location and nationalites of those killed.

Posting, sharing and viewing the video online is one's choice, but seeing it on our television screens via news channels is a violation of one's vision, state of mind and is simply inhumane.

The bodies of the victims surround us. They were not just 21 Coptic Christians. They were 21 Egyptian citizens - each of whom had a name, a story, a family and memories.

Milad, Abanoub, Magued, Youssed, Kyrillos, Bishoy, Samuel, Malak, Tawadros, Girgis, Mina, Hani, Bishoy, Samuel, Ezzat, Lucas, Gaber, Essam, Malak and Sameh; it was their blood that was shed. They had names - and this is something we must remember.

This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.