Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 1 - Egypt

Country Overview:  Egypt reported a decrease in terrorist activity in 2024.  Egyptian security forces maintained a significant presence in the Cairo Metropolitan Area and North Sinai, including in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.  Egyptian security forces have transitioned their decade-long counterterrorism campaign away from large operations in densely populated areas to coordinated actions targeting threats in metropolitan areas and limited operations in less-populated areas.

Egypt continued social development programs focused on North Sinai, where military operations over the past decade have effectively neutralized ISIS-Sinai Province (ISIS-SP), formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis.  In 2024, the Sinai Peninsula was less violent than at any other time in the past decade.  The Egyptian government passed laws granting it special powers in North Sinai, where counterterrorism operations were concentrated.

The Egyptian government proactively detected, deterred, and prevented terrorist attacks.  It maintained plans to respond to threats against public places and critical infrastructure.  At borders and airports, Egyptian authorities checked travel documents, conducted security checks, and shared derogatory information among security forces.  These forces maintain detailed terrorist watchlists.  Al-Azhar University and the Ministry of Endowments sent Islamic experts across Egypt to promote moderation and expand youth programs.

In October, Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority enacted Decree No. 161/2024.  The decree strengthens AML/CFT controls for nonbanking financial sectors.  It requires entities involved in financial activities, such as exchanges and financial institutions, to adopt risk-based AML/CFT systems.  These entities must also implement controls, report suspicious transactions, maintain records for five years, and comply with UNSC sanctions.

2024 Terrorism Trends:  Egypt reports that terrorist incidents during 2024 were the lowest in more than a decade.

Associated documents