Egypt has imposed restrictions on male citizens travelling to Turkey and Libya to prevent them from joining terrorist groups, particularly the Islamic State (ISIS), a security official told AFP.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Egyptian men aged between 18 and 40 years old, who plan to travel to Turkey or Libya must obtain prior permission from the Egyptian immigration department under a new law which came into effect on December 3.”
Jihadists who wish to join ISIS often use the Turkish border to cross into Syria.
The CIA estimates that there are at least 20,000 foreign fighters among the organisation’s ranks. Meanwhile, Libya is mired in chaos and disputed militias since Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011.
The Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis organisation, based in North Sinai and which targets the Egyptian army and police, pledged its alliance to ISIS in November.
Egyptian Jihadists, including the Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis group, say they attack the army and police in response to the repression of supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi after he was toppled in July 2013.
Since Morsi was ousted, hundreds of police and military personnel were killed in attacks, the majority of which were carried out by Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis.