LATEST: Egypt — Security Forces Reinforce Near Pro-Morsi Sit-Ins, But No Move For Dispersal
Another day, another threat by the military and interim Government of Egypt to break up sit-ins for deposed President Mohamed Morsi….
On Sunday, “security and Government sources” told Reuters and the Associated Press that the Egyptian police would start moves today to disperse the sit-ins, which gathered shortly before Morsi was overthrown by the military on July 3. The interim Government later softened the declaration, saying that the security forces would only begin a gradual process of dispersal, beginning by surrounding the main rallies in Cairo’s Rabaa El-Adewaya and Nahda Squares.
Over the past two weeks, and after the last bloody confrontation in which security forces killed about 80 Morsi supporters, both interim President Adli Mansour and interim Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi have said the order has been given to security forces to end the sit-ins. So far, however, there have been no apparent steps taken — a flutter over a power cut on Sunday in Rabaa El-Adewaya Square was short-lived.
Latest Updates, From Top to Bottom
Egypt: Security Forces Defer Move on Pro-Morsi Sit-Ins
“Security sources” are now telling a variety of international outlets that plans to disperse Cairo sit-ins supporting deposed President Morsi have been postponed because of fear of bloodshed.
Egypt: Security Forces Reinforce Near Pro-Morsi Sit-Ins, But No Move For Dispersal
An “informed Interior Ministry source has said that security forces have been reinforced near the main Cairo sit-ins for deposed President Morsi.
Forces have been deployed in front of the Giza security directorate and above Al-Gamaa Bridge, both near the sit-in in Nahda Square. They have also been positioned on Salah Salem, Youssef Al-Assal and Al-Hay Al-Sabie roads near the sit-in in Rabaa Al-Adawiya Square in Nasr City.
“But no orders to disperse [the protests] have yet been handed out,” the source said.
Meanwhile, The pro-Morsi National Alliance to Support Legitimacy has called for a march in downtown Cairo on Monday afternoon.
The march was to leave from Fath mosque in Ramses Square following prayers, but a final destination was not specified.
“We reiterate our insistence on our demands, which is the return of full the legitimate president with his full powers, the constitution that the people approved, the Shura council; and an end to the coup d’etat,” the Alliance said in a statement.
The coalition, which includes the Muslim Brotherhood, said it will not engage dialogue with “elements that took part in the coup d’etat or supported it or caused dreadful massacres. Those elements are not welcome because they’re not objective and they’re partners in the crime.”
Iraq: Islamic State of Iraq Claims Saturday Attacks That Killed 91
The Islamic State of Iraq and as-Sham has claimed responsibility for car bombs and attacks on Saturday that killed at least 91 people and injured hundreds as they celebrated the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
“The Islamic State mobilised…in Baghdad and the southern states and others to convey a quick message of deterrence on the third day of Eid al-Fitr”, responding to the operations of security forcest, ISIS said in its statement.
Israel Announces Release of 26 Long-Term Palestinian Prisoners
Israeli authorities showed both carrot and stick on Sunday, ahead of Wednesday’s resumption of talks with the Palestinian Authority.
First, the Housing Ministry authorised 1,200 additional housing units in settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, despite a promise by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the US not to add more than 1,000 units during the negotiations.
Then an official statement said 26 Palestinian prisoners will be released within 48 hours, publishing their names.
The men are the first group of 104 long-term Palestinian prisoners to be freed in four stages, depending on progress in the talks.
All except one of the 26 were detained before 1994.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Uri Ariel promised further expansion of settlementsm a cornerstone-laying ceremony for a new Jewish neighborhood at the edge of a Palestinian village in East Jeruslem:
With God’s help we will continue building all the land of Israel and Jerusalem the capital. It must be made clear that this is only the beginning. This melody can’t be stopped….
We can and will market thousands of apartments in Jerusalem and there are more than 10,000 apartments ready for marketing in Judea and Samaria. You should all follow, encourage and pressure us to do so as soon as possible.
Bahrain — Regime Crackdown on Journalists Ahead of Possible Protest on August 14
Writing for the Christian Science Monitor, Josh Shahryar profiles the recent detentions of journalists, including Mohammed Hassan, Hussain Hubail, and Qassim Zainaldeen. Hassan’s lawyer Abdul Aziz Mosa was also arrested after he posted a Twitter message about the imprisonment of his client.
The detentions come after recent calls by Parliament for tough “anti-terrorism” measures, expanding the already-wide scope of security forces to hold people, and King Hamad’s decrees extending powers to revoke citizenship and block funding of activist groups.
The Bahraini opposition has called for mass rallies on August 14, the 2 1/2-year anniversary of the start of large protests against the regime over political rights and reforms.
A demonstration in Sanad on Sunday:
