Security Forces Clash With Pro-Morsi Protesters In Cairo, Suez

Several protests organised by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi took place in Cairo following Friday afternoon prayers. Demonstrations took place in Nasr City, Haram, Mohandiseen, Zeitoun, and Helwan, some of which turned into clashes.

Cairo’s Nasr City witnessed violent clashes after security forces fired teargas at protesters to stop them from reaching Makram Ebeid Street, a main thoroughfare, according to Al-Ahram’s Arabic website. Injuries have been reported.

Giza’s Mohandiseen district also witnessed violent clashes in the vicinity of Ahmed Orabi Street after security forces fired teargas at a pro-Morsi protest in the area. A police car was reportedly set on fire.

Security forces also fired teargas at a protest by supporters of Morsi as they marched through the district of Haram in Giza.

Demonstrators were on their way from Khatem Al-Morsaleen Mosque to Giza’s Haram Street when the gas was fired. They were dispersed and took refuge in side streets, reported MENA state news agency.

As clashes continued in the district of Haram, traffic in nearby streets witnessed total paralysis.

The protesters threw stones against security troops and set fire to vehicles’ tyres. In response, the troops fired teargas in a bid to control the situation and arrest the rioters.

Later in the day, clashes erupted in the town of Kafr Al-Dawar in Beheira governorate in the Nile Delta, after a protest march voicing rejection of the draft constitution locked horns with civilian opponents.

Al-Ahram’s Arabic website reported that residents chased away the protesters, while batons and rocks were used in the melee resulting in injuries. Police eventually stepped in to contain the situation and arrested several people.

In Suez, clashes also took place, and a police station that was closed for maintenance was set ablaze before firefighters put out the flames.

The ambulance authority in Suez said that three protesters were hospitalised, including one who was shot in head. At least six were arrested from the pro-Morsi camp, including a woman.

The Ministry of Interior has announced the arrest of 85 members of the Muslim Brotherhood in eight governorates in relation to the day’s violence.

Morsi supporters, led by an “anti-coup” Islamist coalition, had called for protests on Friday against the trial of Morsi on charges of espionage.

Morsi will stand trial over allegations he collaborated with Hamas, Hezbollah and other organisations to commit terrorist acts in Egypt, a judicial source revealed on Wednesday.

Morsi is already on trial on charges of killing opposition protesters outside the presidential palace in December 2012.

Morsi supporters have been taking to the streets since his ouster on 3 July demanding his reinstatement. Their mobilisation has diminished however since a major security crackdown saw thousands of sympathisers arrested.

Source : Ahram