Friday, January 17, 2014

Six Killed as Security Forces Clash With Protesters in Egypt

Six killed as security forces clash with protesters in Egypt

El-Sayed Gamal El-Din , Friday 17 Jan 2014

Violent clashes took place in Fayoum and in various districts of Greater Cairo

Six pro-Muslim Brotherhood protesters have been killed and 125 arrested after violent clashes with security forces on Friday in cities around Egypt, according to security sources.

The health ministry has confirmed only two deaths so far, however.

Protesters were demonstrating in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi and against the transitional authorities, on the first Friday after a constitutional referendum that authorities have touted as a key step in the post-Morsi roadmap.

Two protesters were killed and three others injured in clashes in Fayoum governorate south of Cairo. Another was protester was killed in 6 October city, just outside Cairo. Two protesters were also killed in clashes in the Alf Maskan district of Cairo.

Al-Ahram's Arabic website reported that a police conscript in Cairo's Gesr El-Suez district sustained a wound to his shoulder from birdshot. Other citizens also suffered birdshot injuries, according to the same report.

Violent clashes also took place between security forces and students in Nasr City in Cairo, when students from Al-Azhar University attempted to block traffic.

Students from Al-Azhar also blocked off the university dormitories after Friday afternoon prayers, demanding the release of colleagues detained in recent protests and the reinstatement of ousted president Morsi.

Clashes also erupted at Cairo University on Friday between protesting students and security forces. Students protested outside the university in condemnation of the death of a Cairo University student on Thursday during the clashes between security forces and students.

Groups of students who oppose the transitional authorities have been protesting on campuses around Egypt for months, and a number of been killed in clashes with security forces.

In Maadi, several hundred Morsi supporters blocked traffic in Algeirs Street before they were dispersed by security forces using teargas.

In Ain Shams, protesters torched a police checkpoint during clashes with security forces.

Pro-Morsi protesters also organised rallies in several other districts of Greater Cairo, including Imbaba, Mohandiseen, Nahya, and Al-Haram, rejecting the results of this week’s constitutional referendum and demanding the reinstatement of Morsi and the 2012 constitution. One rally in El-Hawamdeyya, Giza, was attacked by local residents with fireworks.

Clashes were also reported between pro-Morsi protesters and security forces or local residents in Alexandria, Beheira, and Suez on Friday afternoon. In Alexandria at least 14 pro-Morsi protesters were arrested, while in Ismailia at least 3 protesters were injured.

Security measures were increased at key locations in the capital, including the Ittihadiya presidential palace, Rabaa Al-Adawiya Square, and Tahrir Square.

The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy, a coalition led by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, had announced on Thursday that it would organise protests and rallies on Friday under the banner of "revolutionary resistance."

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/91793.aspx

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