51 Dead, 268 Injured Among Protests
At least 51 people have been killed and 268 injured in clashes amid anti-regime marches.
The Health Ministry said at least 32 people were killed in Cairo and nearby Giza, three in Beni Suef, and one in Delga in Minya Governorate. The locations of eight other deaths were not given.
The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy, supporting deposed President Mohamed Morsi, claimed that at least 11 protesters were killed in clashes with security forces in Ramses Street in central Cairo after armoured police vehicles approached the site firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Health Ministry: 15 Dead, 83 Injured
Journalist Sharif Kouddous:
Health ministry says 15 dead so far in today's clashes #Egypt
— Sharif Kouddous (@sharifkouddous) October 6, 2013
The Ministry said 83 people have been injured.
Reports of Dead Protesters in Dokki in Cairo/h3>
Social media is filled with reports of casualties among protesters in Dokki in Cairo:
Screenshot: 4 bodies RT @Ana_Mubasher: #LIVE – Many Dead Bodies in #Dokki Hospital http://t.co/AyiZ71SJKT pic.twitter.com/epj0YxJUY9
— Mostafa Hussein (@moftasa) October 6, 2013
Meanwhile, journalist Bel Trew notes the contrasts between the deaths and the clashes with the atmosphere for Army Day in Cairo’s Tahrir Square:
Meanwhile on Tahrir square a short while it was like a festival-very happy atmosphere, lots of singing,flag waving. #Egypt
— Bel Trew – بل ترو (@Beltrew) October 6, 2013
Security Forces Push Back Marchers With Tear Gas
Security forces have pushed back thousands of protesters trying to get to Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
The marchers were met about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the square by forces who fired tear gas and rounds into the air.
#MB protesters pushed back hard hard now in the direction of #Tahrir street. Lots of gun fire coming from Bein El Sarayat, not sure who.
— Wael Eskandar (@weskandar) October 6, 2013
Many were injured, the #MB protests were ruthlessly pushed back. Street clear, no front lines.
— Wael Eskandar (@weskandar) October 6, 2013
Approaching Tahrir St clashes. Guy being badly beaten in front of me, crowd following and filming with phones. #6oct
— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) October 6, 2013
A foreigner is also being beaten – poss a journalist, carrying a camera. #6oct
— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) October 6, 2013
Anti-coup protesters pushed back down Tahrir St past Dokki St intersection, at least two civilians with handguns. #6oct
— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) October 6, 2013
Sidestreets around Tahrir St very nasty – almost got mobbed with friends, leaving now.
— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) October 6, 2013
Picture: Anti-Regime March in Cairo
One of the anti-regime marches gathering force in Egypt’s capital:
Anti-coup Mohandseen march en route to Tahrir, now in Mohiedeen st. pic.twitter.com/RdSw5kpomk
— Mosa'ab Elshamy (@mosaaberizing) October 6, 2013
Competing Images of Protest & Celebration
An anti-regime march in Giza, near Cairo (hat tip: Jared Malsin):
While Quentin Sommerville of the BBC sends a photo of a crowd celebrating Army Day in front of a tank:
Sommerville also sends a picture of security forces blocking the way to Tahrir Square:
Summary
Opposition groups have called for mass anti-regime protests on Sunday as Egypt marks the 40th anniversary of its war with Israel.
The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy, which backs deposed President Mohamed Morsi, has issued a statement that it will gather in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the symbolic center of the 2011 revolution against the Mubarak regime.
The NASL asked participants to bring pictures of those killed in the October War, “so that the army would go back to its true fighting doctrine…before it turns into militias that know nothing but killing [the] people and chasing children and students.”
Other groups have supported the call to rally.
“Our target is to go back to Tahrir to bring the revolution back to the square,” said Diaa El-Sawy, spokesman of Youth Against The Coup.
El-Sawy said the challenge is not to military institutions, but to individuals who “tarnished the mlitary uniform like some policemen tarnished 25 January [2011]”, the start of the uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak.
The interim Government has called for counter-demonstrations. President Adly Mansour, speaking on State TV on Saturday, told Egyptians: “Be in every district, street and square of Egypt to celebrate your victory and support your army.”
Military sources have said that Tahrir Square and the area near the Presidential Palace will be closed.
(Featured Photo: Opposition protest on Friday — Reuters)
