Security agencies in Egypt immediately after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, fearing attempts to start a revolution, introduced “unannounced state of high alert” as Newarab, a pan-Arab news site based in London, put it on Monday.
At the same time, the armed forces remain on alert, as orders have come directly from the president deployment of troops on the streets of Egypt in case of riots or “chaos” on the streets, the medium reported.
It was noted that the president of Egypt Abd al-Fattah as-Sisi constantly monitored the situation in Syria and expressed “obvious concerns about possible protests” after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Egyptian authorities they didn't allow it its citizens or on public manifestation support for the Syrian rebels who overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad last weekend, long-time ally Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, or protests condemning Syrian rebels. The ban also applied to foreigners.
Unrest in Egypt. The president extended his tour of Europe
On Sunday in Giza province 17 Syrians arrested publicly rejoicing at the end of the Assad era. Egypt is home to approximately two million Syrian refugees who have fled their country embroiled in civil war over the past 11 years.
On Monday, Egyptian state media warned Egyptians of an “unknown future” if a “Syrian scenario in which Egypt is ruled by Islamists” materializes. It has been suggested as well there may be attempts at destabilization in Cairowhich recently happened during the so-called the Arab Spring, when then president Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in 2011.
Therefore, in order to nip a possible rebellion in the bud, President Sisi put the Egyptian armed forces on alert – as Newarab suggested, citing a source in the presidential palace. The same source allegedly informed the Arabic portal that President Sisi may extend his trip, which started on December 6, by a few days Europeuntil his colleagues assure him that the situation in the country is stable.
The authorities also recalled that in Egypt since 2016, public protests and gatherings have been illegal without prior permission from the security services.