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Nationwide clashes erupted between security forces and “Anti-Coup” protesters during the dispersal of protests that started following Friday prayer. The Anti-Coup Alliance had called for protests on the week of the anniversary of the revolution as “The Week of Revolutionary Escalation”.
The Ministry of Health announced in an official statement on Friday evening that nationwide clashes have resulted in a death toll of eight and the injury of 59, as documented by public hospitals. The casualties were spread across various cities and governorates: one at Damietta, four in Beni Suef, two in Faiyum and one in Minya.
The media office of the Ministry of Interior said that, according to the latest count, the number of those arrested reached 171.
In Cairo, clashes erupted in different areas including Nasr City, where a protest took place in front of Al-Salam mosque in the Tenth Settlement. A number of “rioters”, including the brother of renowned activist Wael Ghoniem, were arrested, according to state-run Al-Ahram.
Along Ahmed Orabi Street, Central Security Forces (CSF) blocked the bridge after the dispersal of a pro-legitimacy protest.
In Upper Egypt’s Beni Suef, Al-Ahram reported that clashes had erupted between a protest by supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and security forces.
The coastal city of Alexandria also saw clashes in the neighbourhoods of Wardeyan and Sidi Bishr when Morsi supporters began blocking roads following the funeral of university student Amr Khalaf, killed in clashes at Alexandria University one day earlier. Security forces attempting to disperse the ensuing demonstration with tear gas were assaulted by protesters throwing stones and bricks.
The clashes come after Thursday’s violence near the campus of Alexandria University between Brotherhood-supporting students and security forces, leaving Khalaf shot dead and five others injured and hospitalised, according to the Ministry of Health. Police forces in Alexandria, however, denied having fired at students.
In the Nile Delta city of Damietta, student Abdullaha Nuwara was left dead after clashes between Morsi supporters and police forces erupted, according to Ahram Online. Security forces used tear gas to disperse the protest, which resulted in 11 injuries.
The clashes come on the eve of the third anniversary of the 25 January revolution, during which some organizations and officials have called for Egyptians to take to the streets.
Additional reporting by Andrew Ma
