Photograph by Thierry Ehrmann
Egypt is in a state of emergency with people bracing themselves for more bloodshed as the Muslim Brotherhood call for a nationwide “millions’ march of anger” after noon prayers and the security forces warn they will use live rounds in self-defence or if government buildings are targeted.
The statement form the Muslim Brotherhood comes two days after the brutal crackdown on protesters calling for the reinstatement of Mohamed Morsi as Egypt’s President left at least 638 dead and thousands injured. In a statement the Islamist group said
“Despite the pain and sorrow over the loss of our martyrs, the latest coup makers’ crime has increased our determination to end them”
The country remains divided over how the democratically elected Morsi was running the country with increasingly strong Muslim Brotherhood involvement and the military intervention to oust him on July 3rd. Whilst a number of non-Islamists did not support the violent suppression of the protests on Wednesday, a loose leftist and liberal coalition called the National Salvation Front are organising a counter protest against the “obvious terrorist action” of the Muslim Brotherhood.
US President Barack Obama said on Thursday that he condemned the Egyptian government’s actions in using such deadly force in clearing the protesters, and cancelled upcoming joint military exercises. He did not, however, stop the flow of $1.3 billion (£830 million) in aid, mostly military, that the US gives to Egypt. The US needs Egypt as an ally in the increasingly volatile region, and especially with the recently restarted Israel-Palestine peace talks.
Egypt’s government has criticised Obama’s comments, and claimed that they were clearing the protest camps for the security of the country, and live rounds were only used when their officers were fired on by some in the crowds. They went on to say that his words could “embolden armed groups” and that Egypt was facing “terrorist acts”.
