(AFP Photo)
The United States Department of State on Wednesday issued a new alert for its citizens travelling to Egypt.
The alert cited “the possibility of political and social unrest, incidents of which have led to recent violence” as a factor contributing to the growing concern in the country.
“Political unrest, which intensified prior to the constitutional referendum in December 2012 and the anniversary in 2013 of Egypt’s [revolution], is likely to continue in the near future,” read the release. “Additionally, violent protests followed the January 2013 sentencing of persons involved in the deaths and injuries at a February 2012 match in Port Said.”
It also cited “a rise in gender-based violence in and around protest areas where women have been the specific targets of sexual assault”.
The alert also mentioned the incident earlier this month in which a US citizen was attacked outside the embassy. The travel alert expires on 15 August, and is the most recent of many of its kind to be issued by the US government.
The last travel alert was issued on 29 March, which superseded another alert that had been issued the previous month.
