Police, Pro-Morsi Protesters Lock Horns In Cairo

Clashes erupted between security forces and supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi near Cairo Opera House and Rabaa El-Adawyia district on Saturday, Al-Ahram’s Arabic website reported.

The Opera House, close to downtown, and nearby Cairo Club shut their gates as police forces fired teargas.

The reason for the flare of violence is not clear, with clashes between pro-Morsi protesters, opponents and security personnel occurring frequently since the ouster of the former president on 3 July.

Dozens of protesters marched towards Rabaa El-Adawyia Mosque, where a huge pro-Morsi sit-in was held for over a month before security forces forcibly dispersed it on 14 August. Protesters left the scene immediately after police fired teargas into the vicinity.

According to Al-Ahram’s Arabic website, 14 protesters were arrested whilst trying to enter Rabaa El-Adawiya.

Nationwide celebrations and pro-Morsi rallies are scheduled to take place in Egypt Sunday to mark the 40th anniversary of the 6 October 1973 war against Israel, with rival camps eyeing the iconic Tahrir Square as their destination.

Violence is widely expected to erupt again on Sunday.

Source : Ahram