Nasser Al-Azazi
Violent and bloody clashes lasted for more than eight hours on Friday between armed militants and security forces near the Fire and Civil Protection building in Al-Arish, North Sinai.
Assailants used a number of light and mid-sized weapons, including RPG’s, which were used to target armoured police vehicles, resulting in the death of four and 17 injured from amongst supporters of former president Mohamed Morsi.
Eye witnesses said the assailants launched more than 25 RPG rockets at the Civil Protection Headquarters of North Sinai.
Protesters against the military’s ouster of Morsi were reported to have taken to the streets in Al-Arish, throwing rocks and molotov cocktails at security forces when passing by the city’s fire and civil protection headquarters.
Security forces responded by firing tear gas at the demonstrators, who were later joined by armed assailants who fired RPG’s at security forces.
Armed assailants attacked a number of police headquarters and checkpoints in the area, including the Ramana police station in Al-Arish, the Nakhal police station in Central Sinai and the Sheikh Zuweid police station. Protesters attempted to break in to the Ramana police station, later setting fire to the city’s social affairs directorate.
These attacks resulted in the death of one soldier and a civilian, in addition to the injury of two other citizens.
Clashes also continued in the “Fourth stage” suburb, during which the North Sinai Security Directorate was attacked. No casualties were reported.
Shots were also fired at the Governorate’s Public Office, in addition to the army’s 101st brigade.
In Rafah, missiles were fired at two armoured trucks located along the border with the Gaza Strip, in the neighbourhood of Salah Al-Din.
