Egypt restricts travel to Turkey to 'limit terrorism recruitment'

A new policy banning Egyptian citizens from traveling to Turkey without approval from state security has been introduced Sunday in Egypt, according to Agence France-Presse

The new measure is aimed at preventing Egyptians from joining militant groups in Syria and Iraq by travelling through Turkey, the Ministry of Interior’s spokesman Hany Abdel-Latif said.

The move will see Egyptians aged 18-40 obliged to apply for security clearance in central Cairo ahead of departure to Turkey.

More than 200 people travelling to Turkey have been prevented from doing so over the past 24 hours as a result of not obtaining the relevant security clearance, according to the Associated Press.

The same restrictions apply to Egyptians travelling to both Syria and Iraq.

Ties between Turkey and Egypt have deteriorated following the ouster of Islamist President Mohammad Mursi in July 2013.