Egypt: Car bomb explodes in Alexandria March 24

Event

An improvised explosive device (IED) attached to a car detonated in the city of Alexandria on Saturday, March 24. According to security officials, the device exploded near the convoy of Major General Mostafa al-Nemr, the chief of security for the city. At least two people were killed, including a police officer, and four others were wounded. The attack reportedly took place in the Rushdi neighborhood near the Tolip Hotel. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Context

The Ministry of the Interior said that the attack appears to have been an assassination attempt on al-Nemr ahead of the upcoming presidential election on March 26. In February, the Islamic State (IS) released a video warning Egyptians from participating in the vote and called on its followers to attack security forces and leaders.

Egypt remains under a state of emergency, originally declared following IS attacks on churches in Alexandria and Tanta that killed some 50 people on Palm Sunday in April 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Alexandria are advised to avoid the area of the blast and remain vigilant.

In general, due to the prevailing threat of terrorism, individuals throughout Egypt should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly vulnerable to an attack (e.g. public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). Some governments advise their nationals against all travel to the Sinai Peninsula due to the persistent terrorist threat.