The situation on the Sinai Peninsula has sharply deteriorated recently. A major terrorist attack was carried out at a checkpoint near El Arish, the administrative centre of the Egyptian province of North Sinai. A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb near an army checkpoint, killing 30 people and injuring dozens of service members. Hours later, gunmen attacked another checkpoint in El Arish, killing three Egyptian soldiers.

Moscow strongly condemns these terrorists acts committed against the Egyptian law enforcement agencies, regardless of the motives guiding those behind the attacks. We declare our solidarity with the efforts of the leadership of the Arab Republic of Egypt and its Armed Forces, to combat the threat of terrorism and radicalism, and support measures aimed at stabilising the situation in the country. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

In connection with the recent events in Sinai, we would like to remind Russian citizens of the current Foreign Ministry recommendations for tourists travelling to Egypt, not to leave the resort areas and to avoid visiting major cities and areas with high levels of crime and terrorist activity.