Iran war used as a pretext for harsh measures in Egypt

The Egyptian government has launched a media campaign featuring prominent actors and footballers, urging people to stay at home and reduce energy consumption amid rising energy pressures linked to the war with Iran. However, the resulting restrictions have brought significant hardship for Egyptians. Egyptians did not expect that the sound of explosions in a country on another continent, around 2,200 kilometres away, would leave the streets and neighbourhoods of Cairo, and cities across the country, in darkness. At 9pm (later extended to 11pm), shops are closed, street lighting is switched off on public roads and on bridges and overpasses, while police vehicles patrol the streets and arrest those who defy the measures. Blackouts “It feels unsafe to walk through the […]