Intense clashes at Egypt's Brotherhood HQ

[DJKeefy]

Intense clashes at Egypt's Brotherhood HQ.

Intense clashes took place on Friday between hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood supporters and opponents near the group's Cairo headquarters.

At least 40 people have been injured, according to a health ministry source as the number is expected to soar. No deaths were reported.

Police repeatedly fired teargas from the headquarters at anti-Brotherhood protesters throughout the day.

Earlier, protesters had already started gathering for 'Friday of Restoring Dignity' demonstrations at the headquarters in the hilly Cairo suburb to demonstrate against the Islamist group.

Brotherhood members and supporters, in return, formed human chains around the building to protect it from any possible attacks.

The call to protest was prompted after Muslim Brotherhood members and guards reportedly attacked a group of anti-Brotherhood protesters and graffiti artists outside the Islamist group's headquarters on Saturday.

Clashes started at Friday noon in Nafura Square, less than a kilometre away from the headquarters, and continued throughout the day into the evening.

Many protesters suffered head injuries, with the injured being carried to ambulances stationed nearby, said Ahram Online's reporter on the ground.

Former presidential candidate Khaled Ali was injured during the clashes and taken to hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, buses transporting Brotherhood supporters to Mokattam were torched by protesters.

Demonstrators also attacked and smashed microbuses transporting Muslim Brotherhood members on the main road that leads to the headquarters, as some anti-Brotherhood protesters set up check points.

Gunshots sounds was occasionally heard at the scene, although it was unclear which side the shots were coming from or the type of firearm being used. An Ahram Online reporter saw protesters on both sides carrying firearms.

Mokattam residents, for their side, formed ad hoc neighbourhood watch committees to secure their areas in case clashes reach their homes.

Some residents encouraged anti-Brotherhood protesters from nearby buildings, chanting against the Islamist group from their balconies.

In a statement on Thursday, the interior ministry had called on political currents planning to take part in the protests to avoid getting involved in violence, vowing to be unbiased in its treatment of different political sides.

The ministry stressed its responsibility to ensure citizens' security and to protect public property.

The groups that have responded to the call for protest include the Free Egyptians Party, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and the Constitution Party, all three coming under the National Salvation Front opposition group.

Hundreds of 6 April Youth Movement members also protested at the New Cairo home of President Mohamed Morsi, who hails from the Brotherhood's political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party.

On their internet media outlet, the group stated its objection to the "rule of the Supreme Guide," accusing Morsi of taking orders from the head of the Muslim Brotherhood and slating the group for its failure in governing the country.

Widespread anti-government sentiment has been evident at recurrent protests across Egypt throughout the past few months.

Other Brotherhood offices were attacked in the cities of Alexandria, Mansoura, Mahalla, and Zagazig.

Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/67459.aspx

[Horus]

More will follow as the people realise that nothing has or will change, there is no magic bullet solution for Egypt's problems and the revolution just made things worse, they are now reaping the result of ousting Mubarak with nothing to replace his control. Like many of these third world countries they need a strong leader who will hold the country together, Morsi is not that man and I seriously doubt if anyone short of a new dictator can actually do so.

[Grandad]

And this will only generate even more negative media reports that will further deter people from visiting Egypt. I agree with all that you say Horus and most Egyptians concede that life is far worse now than under Mubarak.
And that is a pretty sad thing to have to admit.

[LovelyLadyLux]

In the USA there is extremely strong opposition to the continuation of financial aid to Egypt. If this money dries up it will further worsen the Egyptian situation and violence will continue to escalate.

It was said on here before - "the devil you know"

[Grandad]

It was said on here before - "the devil you know"

A thought that entered my mind LLL.

And in the UK questions are also being asked about foreign aid and what it actually does to help improve the lot of the common people. I personally question aid to India when India is becoming wealthy and self sufficient and is in fact itself giving aid to other countries. Where is the logic in that?

[Horus]

Or even worse it runs it's own space programme, something that we gave up as costing too much money

[LovelyLadyLux]

Just watched a TV morning news show that detailed that the USA no longer has any of its own spaceships although it has a space station. The USA actually needs to BUY space or buy a ticket to get to their own space station.

I have no problem giving aid IF the GIVER is financially healthy and able to make the gift/loan/donation when none of our own are hurting BUT BUT BUT in this economy the USA is going down and crumbling. They can't even afford to have tours of their own White House anymore BUT can give millions to Egypt.

It has also been brought forward that the USA is being held for ranson for their aid as Egypt is telling them that if it is not given Egypt won't help protect Israel.........blah blah blah.........I get the feeling we (all viable countries who GIVE)are being held for ransom by the have nots who are showing little inclination to run their own shows in a viable manner. Egyptians need to revolt against their own RICH and affluent. They need to start looking at their own infrastructure and get businesses going, manufacturing going........EGYPT (and other handout dependent countries) NEED to be DOING this and get their own ACTs going!