Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has announced a three-month state of emergency after attacks on two Coptic churches that left at least 44 dead. The BBC reports that the measure allows authorities to make arrests without warrants and search people’s homes.

It needs to be approved by parliament before it is implemented. The so-called Islamic State (IS) said it was behind the blasts in Tanta and Alexandria on Palm Sunday. The group has targeted Copts in Egypt recently and warned of more attacks. Mr. Sisi made a defiant speech at the presidential palace after a meeting of the national defense council to discuss the explosions.

He warned that the war against the jihadists would be “long and painful” and said that the state of emergency would come into force after all “legal and constitution steps” were taken. The majority in parliament backs Mr. Sisi on the state of emergency.

The president had earlier ordered the deployment of the military across the country to protect “vital and important infrastructure.” Observers said the move by Mr. Sisi is likely to raise concerns among human rights activists.

The president, a former army chief, has been criticised by local and international groups for severe restrictions on civil and political rights in Egypt.