Rival demonstrations led to violent clashes throughout Egypt on Sunday amid celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the October War. The Ministry of Interior had reported 94 injuries and 28 killed nationwide.
In Cairo’s Tahrir Square, face-painted revelers gathered to celebrate the anniversary, waving Egyptian flags and posters of Defence Minister Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi as jets roared overhead, trailing patriotic colours.
Not far outside this show of support for the military, however, the picture could not be more different, as the day was marred by widespread violence between marchers supporting former president Mohamed Morsi, local residents, and security forces.
In the capital’s Ramsis and Dokki neighbourhoods, security forces made wide use of teargas to disperse protesters, as clashes saw fires break out at major intersections amid unconfirmed reports of live ammunition and birdshot. Roadblocks have since been erected throughout the flashpoints.
Photos by Mohamed Omar and Ahmed AlMalky
