File photo: Egyptian Copts attend a mass on Thursday of Holy Week at a church in Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua)

CAIRO, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian forces have thwarted on Saturday an attempted attack on a church in Cairo before the suicide bomber exploded himself, state-run Ahram news website reported.

The bomber attempted to infiltrate the crowds of Copts, who were celebrating the birthday of Mary that started on Aug. 7, outside Al-Azra Church in Shoubra district in north of the capital.

Due to the intensive security measures near the church, the suicide bomber had to detonate his explosive belt on a bridge overlooking the church, the report added.

The man wearing phosphoric jacket has detonated the belt some 250 meters away from the church, official news agency MENA reported.

No other casualties were reported.

Since the ouster of the former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by the army in response to mass protests against his rule, Egypt has been facing a wave of anti-security terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of security men.

Some of the attacks also have targeted civilians and churches in recent years.

Most of the attacks were claimed by Islamic State branch in Egypt, mainly centered in north Sinai.