The U.S. State Department and the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office have both urged citizens to cancel any travel plans to Egypt due to ongoing protests and an accompanying resurgence of violence in the country, according to CNN. The warning was issued on Friday.
An American has already been killed in the clashes in Alexandria while photographing the battle between supporters and opponents of Mohamed Morsi, the Egyptian president.
"Political unrest, which intensified prior to the constitutional referendum in December 2012 and the anniversary in 2013 of Egypt's 25th January Revolution, is likely to continue in the near future due to unrest focused on the first anniversary of the president's assumption of office," the U.S. travel warning states. "Demonstrations have, on occasion, degenerated into violent clashes between police and protestors, resulting in deaths, injuries and extensive property damage."
The protestors have been clashing with Egyptian police, as well as rival demonstrators in Bani Suef, located in the south of Cairo, as well as Asuit and Alexandria.
"Participants have thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails and security forces have used tear gas and other crowd control measures against demonstrators," the statement continued. "There are numerous reports of the use of firearms as well."
Protests are occurring in Cairo, Suez, Sharqia, El Monofia and Gharbiya, according to Egypt's state-run news agency, Ahram.
At least five people have been killed, as well as 613 people injured during the demonstrations on Sunday, according to officials. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of President Mohamed Morsi, who came into power a year ago as the country's first democratically elected leader.
The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned British citizens not to travel to the Governorate of North Sinai at all, and has warned against all but essential travel to the Governorate of South Sinai, with the exception being certain resorts and tourism areas.
The U.S. has evacuated "non-emergency employees and family members" from the country.
The U.S. and U.K. are not the only countries discouraging citizens from traveling to Egypt. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia has urged a "high degree of caution in Egypt due to the risk of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attack." The country has advised against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai, including the Taba-Suez Road, and has also suggested citizens reconsider any travel plans to the Governorate of South Sinai.
Canada has also issued travel warnings, as has the Netherlands who have been advising citizens to "consider taking the initiative to leave the country," since February. France, Germany and New Zealand are urging travelers to avoid large crowds and remain vigilant.
The protests are directed at internal politics, though foreigners have been caught up in the violence in the past, especially during the Arab Spring.
All governments are advising citizens to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings.
The world Economic Forum declared Egypt one of the most dangerous places on Earth after the recent political upheaval. It was even found riskier than places that are usually thought of as dangerous, such as Yemen and Pakistan.
News footage of the protests.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
