UK warns against ‘non essential travel’ to west of Egypt’s Nile Valley, Nile Delta

The UK has updated its travel advisory for Egypt on Saturday, cautioning its citizens against “all but essential travel” to the areas west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta.

This area extends to Egypt’s borders with Libya.

On Thursday, Egypt’s army spokesman said a military aircraft crashed near the border with Libya due to a “technical failure”, leaving four crew members dead. This came during a joint air and ground anti-terror mission southeast of the Siwa oasis.

Meanwhile, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) maintained its previous advisories concerning Egypt.

The FCO warns against all travel to North Sinai due to the “significant increase in criminal activity and continued terrorist attacks.”

It recommends “essential travel only” to South Sinai, except areas of “Sharm El-Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, and Nabq,” which are located in the Sharm El-Sheikh perimeter barrier.

The FCO did not warn against travel to tourist areas along the Nile River like Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and the Valley of the Kings, or the Red Sea resorts of Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada.

It said Egyptian authorities ensure “enhanced security measures” in the Red Sea resorts.

According to the FCO, over 900,000 British citizens visit Egypt annually.

Egypt’s army has been fighting a decade-long militant Islamist insurgency that spiked following the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in the summer of 2013.

Hundreds of police and soldiers have been killed in Islamist militant attacks against security personnel in the peninsula.

Sinai-based militant group Sinai Province, now affiliated with the Islamic State group (IS), has claimed most attacks.

source:Ahram online