Opposition political factions strongly condemned the killing of seven civilians in protest clashes on Friday. While opposition movements say the deaths occurred in clashes with security forces, official statements relayed that protesters clashed with civilians before security forces arrived to protest locations to “deal” with the matter.
(MOHAMMED ABDEL MONEIM/AFP/Getty Images)
The grassroots ‘6 April‘ youth movement described the incidents that coincided with the first day of Eid Al-Fitr as “Eid with the colour of blood”, while the pro-Muslim Brotherhood ‘The Anti-Coup Alliance,’ also known as the National Coalition to Support Legitimacy, held Preside
Protests had erupted on Friday in some areas in Giza, including Talbiya and Nahya, hours following the early morning Eid Al-Fitr prayers. Seven civilians were killed and 15 were arrested, a representative from the Interior Ministry press office told Daily News Egypt.
He added that there were clashes between civilians and that security forces were directed to the location of the clashes and dealt with the matter.
Six died in the Talbiya clashes, a Health Ministry spokesperson told media outlets, while three others were injured.
Meanwhile, in Kerdasa, a protester was killed in an exchange of fire between “Muslim Brotherhood supporters” and security forces, according to the Kerdasa security chief.
The 6 April movement claimed the security forces shot live ammo and birdshots at civilians while the SAL asserted that “fair retribution” is awaiting “killers of those martyrs”, vowing to continue protests that have been ongoing since the ouster of the Brotherhood government and former president Mohamed Morsi, almost two years ago.
The Ministry of Interior issued a statement on the Friday incidents saying that around 400 protesters in Giza used bird-shots and firecrackers against civilians who in return clashed with them. The clashes led security forces to “deal” with the situation which resulted in the death of six civilians, according to the statement.
