Protesters on the streets in Cairo. AJE vide
More than 100 people have been killed and hundreds more injured at a protest in Cairo in support of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.
Protests in support of Morsi and in support of the military intervention have been continuing throughout the month since the Egyptian Army removed him from power on July 3rd. Both groups held protests last night, with those supporting the military congregating in Tahrir Square, the focal point of the protests that have ousted both Morsi and the previous leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011, and the pro-Morsi supporters continuing their sit-in at the mosque in the Nasr City district.
According to reports on the ground, pro-Morsi protesters attempted to block a main road in the Nasr City district and security forces responded with tear gas and live fire. Officials denied the use of live fire by the security forces, but doctors from nearby hospitals estimate that around 70% of injuries were sustained from live fire, with many injuries to the head and chest reportedly from snipers on the rooftops. Officials also appear to be underreporting the number of casualties, with the health ministry issuing a statement claiming the death toll was 38, with 180 more injured.
Egypt’s Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim has said that the sit-in protests around Nasr City would be “brought to an end in a legal manner” with an official order from the prosecutor, but last night’s clashes do not appear to have been related to any official attempt to clear the protesters, but more a reaction to realities on the ground.
Pro-Morsi Muslim Brotherhood members have vowed to continue their protests to what they argue is an undemocratic military coup by the Egyptian military, and they blame General Sisi for spilling Egyptian blood during the protests.
