Terrorism in Egypt
12 July 2015 RPS Partnership
There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt. It is believed by UK security forces that terrorists continue to plan attacks. Attacks could be indiscriminate and occur without prior warning. Attacks targeting foreigners can’t be ruled out. There is a threat of kidnapping, particularly in remote desert areas.
The Sinai-based Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) has been involved in a number of suicide bombings, drive-by shootings and assassinations. In November 2014 ABM announced they had pledged allegiance to ISIL.
On 16 February 2015, ABM carried out a suicide attack on a tourist bus in Taba, South Sinai, close to the Israeli border at Eilat, killing 3 South Korean tourists, an Egyptian driver and injuring at least 14 others. ABM have claimed responsibility for the death in August 2014 of a US oil worker in the western desert.
The group has threatened further attacks against Egypt’s economic interests.
ABM has also made threats against any installation connected with the Egyptian Ministry of Interior and Egyptian Ministry of Defence. The group has claimed responsibility for an increasing number of attacks in the North Sinai, but also in other parts of the country.
ABM claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on 24 and 25 January 2014 in Cairo, which targeted a police headquarters and the area outside a cinema. Another extremist group, Ajnad Misr, which has made statements threatening the Egyptian security forces, later claimed some of these attacks.
On 11 July, there was an explosion at the Italian Consulate in Cairo, which has shown a new direction to attack against foreign embassies and consulates.
On 1 July, a series of attacks against military targets around Sheikh Zuwayed in North Sinai killed a number of Egyptian soldiers.
On 29 June, Egyptian Public Prosecutor Hisham Barakat was killed and a number of others injured in an explosion in Heliopolis, Cairo.
On 10 June 2015, an attack on a security checkpoint at the Karnak Temple site in Luxor was repelled by Egyptian security personnel, resulting in the death of 2 attackers.
In the early hours of 26 February 2015, there were a number of explosions in Cairo. The explosions occurred outside mobile telephone shops in the Mohandiseen area, a restaurant in the Imbaba area and a police station in Warraq. There are reports of 1 death and a number of injuries.
In North Sinai, terrorists seek to prevent the Egyptian authorities from exercising control. There have been frequent, almost daily reports of attacks since the change in government. Most attacks are against the Egyptian government and military installations and personnel. On 27 January, ABM shot down a military helicopter with a surface to air missile, although the group has shown no intent to target civilian aircraft. Gas pipelines and border crossings have also been targets.
On 25 January 2014 in Suez an explosion followed by an armed attack resulted in 16 civilians being injured. Since 2013 there have been multiple attacks against security forces’ buildings and checkpoints in and around Ismailia. There are reports of at least 15 deaths and over 30 members of the security forces injured.
The Sharm el Sheikh resort areas of South Sinai benefit from heightened security protection.
The last terrorist attack in South Sinai involving British nationals was in April 2006 when a series of bombs exploded in Dahab, killing 23 people and injuring 80, including 2 British nationals.
There is also a threat of maritime terrorism. In August 2013, there was an attack against a container ship in the Suez Canal, which was claimed by the Al Furqan Brigades group. An attack on Egyptian navy vessels in November 2014 may also be linked to terrorism.
RPS recommends that travellers to Egypt be extra vigilant until Ramadan is over (18 July), and thereafter monitor media reports and keep up to date with the travel advice covering their location. Terrorist attacks have often taken place over local holiday weekends and a list of local holidays can be found on the website of the British Embassy in Cairo.
There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Anything suspicious should be reported to local security forces.
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