Egyptian seaports and airports are on high alert following warnings of infiltration by foreign nationals fleeing Syria and Iraq, having joined and fought with extremist groups there such as Islamic State (IS), Jabhat al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham. Officials have become sufficiently concerned about these radicalized elements to order security forces to enhance precautionary procedures for regulating the entry of foreign nationals.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave the issue top priority at the recent Munich Security Conference. Addressing the session Feb. 16, Sisi asked, “Who brought foreign fighters to the Arab countries, and who supports them?” He called on the international community to step up efforts to reveal the identities of the extremists’ financial backers. Noting that foreigners had been found among extremists killed in counter-terrorism operations in Egypt, Sisi emphasized the importance of not interfering in other countries' affairs.

Two days after Sisi’s speech, on Feb. 18 an extremist targeted the Darb al-Ahmar district in Cairo, near Al-Azhar Mosque, but when intercepted by security forces blew himself up, killing three policemen. According to the Ministry of Interior, the suicide bomber held US citizenship.

Egyptian Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfik on Jan. 11 ordered security forces to broaden their circle of suspicion and strictly monitor foreigners' entry with the goal of arresting suspected extremists and foiling plans for attack. The standard procedure of circulating data on known suspects is being intensified at all ports of entry.