Egypt’s security forces clear pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo, Muslim Brotherhood protests sparked nationwide

Egypt's CSF dispersing pro-Morsi sit-ins

After Egypt’s Cabinet of Ministers recently announced about their intentions to disperse pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo the additional military and security forces troops have been deployed in the area of the main sit-ins located in Cairo’s Rabaa Al-Adaweya Square in Nasr City and in Al-Nahda Square in Giza.

In the early hours of Wednesday, 14 August, Egypt’s security forces and police started the operation to disperse the pro-Morsi sit-ins in Al-Nahda Square in Giza, and later also in Rabaa Al-Adaweya. The entrances to the sit-ins have been reportedly closed by security forces, but there was a safe exit to everybody who wanted to leave the sit-ins willingly.

The protesters met the security forces operation defiant and the violent clashes between the protesters and security forces personnel erupted. Egypt’s CSF has fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, and there have been the reports of the gunshot in the area, but the police claims they are using only tear gas. Some reporters on the grounds claim there were weapons and live ammunition also among the protesters so they shoot at the security forces.

Egypt's CSF dispersing the pro-Morsi sit-ins

Several police vehicles in the area have been torched and destroyed, the people are fighting the police and throwing the stones and the rocks, there are reports of the gunfire in the area.

Meanwhile the security forces of Egypt claim they’ve got the control of the area of the Al-Nahda sit-in, but the clashes continue in Nasr City as the Rabaa Al-Adaweya Square remains surrounded by security forces and under heavy fire.

Several clashes erupted also in other Cairo’s districts as well, with the angry protesters storming the police stations and clashing with the security forces as well.

The wave of the protests sparked in the Egyptian governorates including Alexandria, Upper Egypt, Minya, Suea, Assiut, Ismailiya and others with the supporters of Egypt’s deposed President Mohamed Morsy storming the police stations and chanting against Egypt’s Defense Minsiter Abdel Fattah El-Sissi and the current government.

Clashes during dispersal of pro-Morsi sit-ins

There are also conflicting reports regarding the casualties, as Egypt’s Health Ministry officially reported about at least 13 deaths and more than 50 injuries, while the Muslim Brotherhood sources claim there have been at least 500 dead protesters and nearly nine thousands of injured. Some reporters on the ground stated they’ve counted at least 90 dead bodies in the field hospitals located in the area. The CSF reported about the casualties among their personnel too. The casualties’ numbers are impossible to verify at the moment due to the tense situation and continuous clashes.

Islamist Alliance in Support of Legitimacy demanding reinstatement of Mohamed Morsy as Egypt’s President has accused Egypt’s authorities and army of the bloodshed during the dispersal of the pro-Morsi sit-ins and called on its supporters to head to the protests points to prevent the clashes. Several Egyptian political parties and groups including April 6^th Movement have also denounced the violence and excessive measures used by Egypt’s security forces during the clearing of the protests sites.

Meanwhile the situation remains tense with the ongoing violent clashes in Cairo and in other Egyptian governorates as well as Muslim Brotherhood supporters remain defiant.

Though the clashes have continued all day long, with the numerous attacks of police stations and Coptic churches nationwide. Egypt's Presidency declared at least one month long state of emergency in the country and the curfew was also imposed in 12 of 27 Egyptian governorates including Cairo, Alexandria, Sinai and others.

Meanwhile Egypt's Health Ministry during the press conference happening in the late hours of Wednesday, has raised the official death toll to at least 525 people and more than 3500 people injured.