The Foreign Ministry formed on Wednesday an around-the-clock task force to receive any communications from Egyptians living in the Iraqi city of Mosul.
A group of radical Sunni militants, called the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), have seized control of Mosul, sending thousands of citizens fleeing the area. The group is against the central government, led by the Shiite president, Nuri al-Maliki. The conflict recalls the brutal sectarian violence that was stirred up after the US invasion of the country.
Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad Ali al-Ashry said the ministry is following-up the situation in Mosul in full coordination with the Iraqi authorities, adding that the Egyptian embassy in Baghdad will help anyone wishing to return home.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
