Egyptian security tightened
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai in Egypt due to the significant increase in criminal activity and recent terrorist attacks on police and security forces that have resulted in deaths. The FCO also advised against all but essential travel to the Governorates of Beni Suef, Minya, Asyut and Sohag; the Governorate of South Sinai, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq. Tourists are thus unable to take excursions outside Shark el Sheikh to sites such as St Catherine’s Monastery, or Petra in Jordan.
The FCO website states: “Enhanced security measures are in place to protect the Sharm el Sheikh resort areas. Egyptian military are situated in Sharm el Sheikh international airport, at check points around the perimeter of Sharm el Sheikh and throughout the South Sinai Governorate. Routine security checks are being performed on entry into the airport and the police are carrying out vehicle checks in Sharm el-Sheikh. There were no violent protests in the South Sinai resorts during recent disturbances in Egypt.” The group responsible for an attack on a tourist bus in February that killed three occupants, Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis, has said that instead of solely targeting police and security forces, it will expand to include Egypt’s economic interests – one of which, is, of course, tourism.
The FCO also warned that, from 1 February, and for approximately two months afterwards, there will be several anniversaries in Egypt that are expected to prompt protests, some of which could turn violent. Demonstrations often happen on Fridays, but can occur at any time and with little prior notice, and police may use water cannon, tear gas, birdshot or live ammunition for crowd control.
There have been several violent clashes since July 2013 resulting in a large number of deaths. Most of the clashes have taken place in Cairo and Alexandria. At protests in Cairo, Alexandria and Fayoum on 24 and 25 January 2014 there were at reports of around 80 deaths. There are ongoing protests and clashes within university campuses across the country.