The State Department on Thursday warned Americans about visiting the Egyptian pyramids due to a number of "aggressive" incidents that it says verge on "criminal conduct."
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo said in a release that it "has become aware of an increasing number of incidents at or near the Giza Pyramids."
"U.S. citizens should elevate their situational awareness when traveling to the Pyramids, avoid any late evening or night travel, utilize a recommended or trusted guide, and closely guard valuables," according to the warning, which the State Department confirmed is an authentic "security warning" issued by the embassy in Cairo.
These incidents include angry mobs reportedly "surrounding and pounding" on vehicles and in some cases "attempting to open the vehicle’s doors," according to the release.
"The majority of these incidents are attributed to over-aggressive vendors, though the degree of aggressiveness in some cases is closer to criminal conduct," the statement said.
"Other more serious incidents have been reported involving vehicles nearing the Pyramids, with angry groups of individuals surrounding and pounding on the vehicles—and in some cases attempting to open the vehicle’s doors."
"While the motive is less clear (possibly related to carriage operators wanting fares), it has severely frightened several visitors," the embassy said, noting that there have been many reports that there is a "lack of visible security or police in the vicinity of the Pyramids."
Visitors to the pyramids have expressed concern on multiple occasions, according to the release.
"Though other tourist locations have not been brought to Embassy attention, these measures are also recommended at all crowded or popular tourist sites."
Security warnings of this nature are issued by U.S. embassies and consulate in order to keep U.S. citizens living abroad and travelling to the region informed about possibly dangerous situation.