Turmoil in Egypt

The US Department of State warns people to defer travel to Egypt because of the continuing political and social unrest.

After the army removed Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, from office on July 3 following mass demonstrations, more than 1,000 people died in further protests. 

For the first half of August, army and police forces clashed violently with protesters supporting Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. Clashes took place in many cities throughout Egypt but primarily in Cairo, Alexandria, the Suez and northern Sinai. 

On Aug. 14, the government of Egypt declared a State of Emergency that included a curfew in select governates, including Cairo and Alexandria. Protests continued, but the violence subsided. Several tour operators and cruise lines have suspended tours or port calls at Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Nile Delta.