Egypt travel advice for holiday makers

At least two pro-Mursi supporters were killed yesterday in clashes with military police in the city of Beni Suef, located in Egypt's northern Beni Suef governorate, to the south of Cairo.

The clashes occurred outside a mosque in the city where hundreds of demonstrators had gathered late in the evening. Security forces reportedly attempted to disperse the large crowd that was about to begin a march in support of recently deposed president, Mohammed Mursi.

However, according to reports, security forces opened fire on the demonstrators when the clashes turned violent. The clashes in Beni Suef follow widespread civil unrest in Egypt between 14 and 20 August; this was prompted by a severe military crackdown on two Islamist protest sit-ins in Cairo and Giza. At least 800 people were killed during the resultant clashes involving Islamist protesters and security forces in locations throughout the country.

The possibility of reactionary protests by local residents cannot be discounted; the threat of violence at future protests, including clashes between rival protesting groups, as well as between these groups and security forces, is high. An elevated security force presence is anticipated in the affected area for the near-term at least.

Travel to Egypt is currently not advised, due to ongoing political instability and civil unrest.

However at present, this advice excludes the Red Sea, South Sinai and New Valley governorates, which have been less affected by the ongoing instability and civil unrest.

Anyone travelling to Egypt on holiday should avoid all street protests, protest gathering points and security force and their facilities.  It is prudent to stay around your hotel on a Friday and avoid going on desert camping trips or even trips for desert dinners as an extra precaution.

You may wish to take torches with you as electric power can sometimes be intermittent and reliant on generators. If you are using any IT you are recommended to use a surge protector.

Contact [email protected] if you have any further questions.