Security Brief for Egypt Prepared On: Jul 12, 2021 5:59:41 PM UTC
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Security Brief for Egypt prepared on: Jul 12, 2021 5:59:41 PM UTC Security Assessment Rating Security Rating for Egypt: 4 - High Sub-Ratings 1 2 3 4 5 Crime 3 Overall Rating: Security Services 3 4 Civil Unrest 3 Terrorism 4 High Kidnapping 3 Geopolitical 3 Security Overview : Overview of Egypt There are military operations against militants in North Sinai and along the Libyan border. Armed assaults and bombings have been reported. The terrorist threat stems from North Sinai-based Islamist militants, suspected Muslim Brotherhood offshoots, and those motivated by left-wing views. Most terrorist attacks target commercial, economic, and infrastructure installations as well as Christian minorities and security forces. Foreigners have also been targeted. Most crimes are petty thefts, such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching, but armed robberies, muggings, sexual assaults, rapes, break-ins, and carjackings have also been reported. Opposition to the government and socioeconomic factors are drivers for civil unrest. Islamist protests have been pushed out of downtown areas, and rallies motivated by economic factors are now a greater potential threat to security. Protests can turn violent and disrupt travel. The risk of civil unrest rises during significant anniversaries. Related Advice: General guidelines to protect yourself against terrorism. Related Advice: Recognizing suspicious objects and the threat of hidden explosives while traveling Related Advice: Protecting yourself from crime when using taxis abroad. Related Advice: Tips and guidelines for surviving an airline hijacking Related Advice: Increasing your personal security while traveling. Security Alerts & Advisories Informational Alerts Terrorism: Authorities in Egypt extend the existing State of Emergency through at least Oct. 24. Heightened security presence and disruptions likely. Incident: State of Emergency Location(s): Nationwide (map) Time Frame: Through Oct. 24 Impact: Increased deployment of security forces personnel, monitoring of electronic communications, restrictions on public gatherings Summary A presidential decree has extended the nationwide State of Emergency (SoE) through at least Oct. 24. The SoE declaration allows for increased deployment of security personnel, monitoring and censorship of online communications, and additional powers to arrest and imprison those suspected of having intentions to harm national security. Heightened security will likely continue near potential terrorist targets - including government and military installations, tourist venues, and Coptic Christian places of worship. Police may establish checkpoints and roadblocks near such locations, likely prompting associated ground transport disruptions in their vicinity. Background and Analysis President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will likely extend the nationwide SoE repeatedly for the foreseeable future, as militancy remains a threat. El-Sisi initially implemented the measure in April 2017 after Islamic State (IS) militants targeted churches in Alexandria and Tanta in twin bombings. Counterterrorism efforts have remained a primary concern following the initial implementation of the law. In February 2018, el-Sisi announced the launch of a large- scale military operation dubbed "Operation Sinai 2018," which aims to eradicate militancy. The announcement follows the expiration of a three-month deadline that the president had imposed to eliminate militancy in the Sinai Peninsula after an attack on a Sufi mosque in Bir el-Abed in November 2017 that left more than 300 people dead. Advice Follow the instructions of security personnel; be courteous and nonconfrontational. Ensure travel documents are available at all times. Maintain contact with diplomatic missions. Alert begins: 07/12/2021 Terrorism: Egyptian officials extend security-related curfews in several areas of North Sinai Governorate through July 25. Increased security likely. Event: Curfews Location(s): Several areas in North Sinai Governorate (map) Time Frame: Through July 25 Impact: Increased security, movement restrictions, localized business and transport disruptions Summary Authorities in Egypt have extended security-related nightly curfews in several areas of North Sinai Governorate through July 25. A 19:00-06:00 nightly curfew will be in place in areas encompassing Tal Rafah in the eastern part of North Sinai Governorate to the international border at Rafah and from Mount Helal to Ouga. A 01:00- 05:00 nightly curfew will be in effect in the city of El Arish and on the International Road. Security forces will likely conduct security patrols and could establish security checkpoints for the duration of the curfews. Heightened security measures will likely result in localized traffic and business disruptions. Background and Analysis Islamic State (IS) is active in the North Sinai Governorate and regularly targets civilians, foreigners, and Egyptian military personnel. IS' Wilayat Sinai branch has frequently attacked Egyptian security forces. Wilayat Sinai is one of IS's most active affiliates in North Africa and will likely remain a potent threat for the foreseeable future. The group launches weekly attacks, targeting security forces, religious minorities, and civilians accused of working with the military. Most IS attacks in the region occur in the coastal areas of Egypt's North Sinai Governorate, near Al-Arish and Rafah, approximately 142 km (88 miles) and 183 km (113 miles) east of Port Said, respectively. Advice Strictly comply with the curfew and heed other instructions from local authorities. Remain courteous and cooperative if stopped by security personnel. Alert begins: 04/27/2021 Other Alerts & Advisories Warning Alerts Entry/Exit: Authorities in Egypt ease capacity restrictions for hotels, restaurants, and cinemas as of July 5. Other measures remain in place. Incident: COVID-19 restrictions Location(s): Nationwide (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Business and transport disruptions, heightened security Summary Egyptian authorities have increased the maximum capacity restrictions at hotels, restaurants, and cinemas to 70 percent as of July 5, following a decrease in COVID-19 cases. Public parks and beaches have reopened but large social gatherings, such as sporting events and concerts, remain prohibited until further notice. Places of worship are also open but must adhere to strict public health measures. International commercial flights to and from Egyptian airports are operating. All travelers are required to complete a monitoring card and provide proof of health insurance to authorities upon arrival. Fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from taking a PCR test if they have approved vaccination certificates with valid QR codes. However, vaccinated individuals coming from high-risk countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, India, Latin America, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam) have to take an ID NOW COVID-19 test upon arrival. If the results are positive, they will have to proceed with a PCR test. Authorities will transfer individuals who obtain a positive result for the PCR test to quarantine facilities. Unvaccinated individuals, meanwhile, have to provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Authorities may impose further travel restrictions and other preventative measures over the coming days, depending on the evolution of disease activity. Advice Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all business appointments and travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Alert begins: 07/05/2021 Health: Countries in Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia continue to report COVID-19 cases through July. Maintain basic health precautions. Incident: COVID-19 transmission Location(s): Middle East, North Africa, West Asia (map) Date: June-July 2021 Transmission: Respiratory (coughing, sneezing, speaking) Summary Several countries and territories in MENA and West Asia continue to report COVID-19 transmission as of July 6. The following countries and territories have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases June 8-July 6. Countries are classified by risk of transmission according to the incidence rate over the past four weeks: Very high risk of transmission Bahrain Kuwait Oman Tunisia United Arab Emirates High risk of transmission Afghanistan Iran Iraq Jordan Libya Qatar Turkey Moderate risk of transmission Lebanon Palestinian Territories Saudi Arabia Low risk of transmission Algeria Egypt Israel Morocco Pakistan Syria Yemen Background and Analysis COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms.