Background Information: On 3 February 2012 a group of men armed with machine guns kidnapped two U.S. tourists in the Sinai Peninsula. The two women were part of a small group of tourists traveling via bus from Saint Catherine’s monastery -- a tourist attraction -- to the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. The men reportedly intercepted the vehicle and initially robbed the travelers before taking the two U.S. nationals, indicating that the abduction may not have been the perpetrators' initial intention. Some reports indicate that their Egyptian guide was also abducted, but this has not been confirmed. The abductors, who are believed to be Bedouin tribesmen, escaped with the victims in two vehicles toward nearby mountains.
Analyst Comment: As previously addressed in Hot Spots and World Watch, large sections of the Sinai Peninsula have long been lawless, and the security situation has deteriorated further since the 2011 uprising. The security vacuum that resulted from the uprising has been noticeably felt in the Sinai and will likely persist for the foreseeable future. Kidnapping has not traditionally posed a significant security issue for foreign tourists in Egypt, but several abductions have occurred of late in the Sinai, mostly by Bedouins who have seized individuals in opportunistic incidents and demanded concessions, such as the release of other Bedouins from jail. This most recent incident further underscores security concerns in the Sinai.
Analyst Comment: As previously addressed in Hot Spots and World Watch, large sections of the Sinai Peninsula have long been lawless, and the security situation has deteriorated further since the 2011 uprising. The security vacuum that resulted from the uprising has been noticeably felt in the Sinai and will likely persist for the foreseeable future. Kidnapping has not traditionally posed a significant security issue for foreign tourists in Egypt, but several abductions have occurred of late in the Sinai, mostly by Bedouins who have seized individuals in opportunistic incidents and demanded concessions, such as the release of other Bedouins from jail. This most recent incident further underscores security concerns in the Sinai.
[The Americans were released - unharmed - within four hours of being taken.]
Background Information: Protests and disorder are continuing in central Cairo for a second consecutive day on 3 February 2012. The unrest began on 2 February as protests broke out against the deaths of dozens of people during rioting that followed a soccer match in Port Said on 1 February. The disorders have been particularly concentrated in central Cairo, specifically around the Interior Ministry building and in nearby Tahrir Square, areas that have been prone to outbreaks of protests and unrest since the 2011 uprising. Estimates of the number of participants in the ongoing protests range from hundreds to thousands; there have been periodic clashes with security forces, who have fired tear gas as well as live ammunition, according to some reports. The situation is allegedly particularly tense around the Interior Ministry, as protesters vent their anger toward the government and the security forces; protesters overnight reportedly broke through a concrete barrier that was previously erected to protect the ministry from demonstrators. Anti-riot police officers are deployed, and further clashes and protests are likely for the remainder of the day. Thus far more than 400 people have been injured in the violence, many who inhaled tear gas. Outside Cairo, violent protests have been reported in the city of Suez, where at least two people were killed when police officers used live ammunition to prevent protesters from storming a police station.
Analyst Comment: As previously discussed, the Port Said soccer match violence stoked already elevated levels of anger among many Egyptians against the military-led government and security forces, whom they hold responsible for failing to provide adequate security at the sporting event. The tensions are also related to the unsettled political situation, and the Port Said developments have served as yet another catalyst to inspire anti-government protests. The protests have escalated in intensity over the past 24 hours, and further incidents should be expected in the coming days. There is also a potential for demonstrations in the Zamalek area of Cairo, where the headquarters of one of the soccer clubs that played in the Port Said match are located.
There have been several alarming outbreaks of protests and intense violence in Cairo in recent months, including in both November and December 2011, but violence eventually calmed. Developments should continue to be closely monitored. Additionally, as a precaution, travelers and expatriates in Cairo should avoid non-essential travel in the downtown area due to protest activity and likely ground transportation disruptions.
Analyst Comment: As previously discussed, the Port Said soccer match violence stoked already elevated levels of anger among many Egyptians against the military-led government and security forces, whom they hold responsible for failing to provide adequate security at the sporting event. The tensions are also related to the unsettled political situation, and the Port Said developments have served as yet another catalyst to inspire anti-government protests. The protests have escalated in intensity over the past 24 hours, and further incidents should be expected in the coming days. There is also a potential for demonstrations in the Zamalek area of Cairo, where the headquarters of one of the soccer clubs that played in the Port Said match are located.
There have been several alarming outbreaks of protests and intense violence in Cairo in recent months, including in both November and December 2011, but violence eventually calmed. Developments should continue to be closely monitored. Additionally, as a precaution, travelers and expatriates in Cairo should avoid non-essential travel in the downtown area due to protest activity and likely ground transportation disruptions.
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