Sunday, July 24, 2011

Violent clashes erupt in Cairo

More than 300 people have been injured in clashes between groups of armed men and pro-reform protesters marching towards Egypt's ministry of defence in the capital, Cairo, the country's health ministry said.

Thousands calling for the "downfall" of the country's ruling military council were trying to reach the military headquarters on Saturday when they were attacked by opponents armed with knives and sticks.

Witnesses said most of the injuries occurred when civilians, believed to be thugs, standing in front of military blockades hurled barrages of stones and at least six firebombs at demonstrators. The demonstrators fought back with stones torn up from the pavement.

Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from Cairo, confirmed that "people with knives, sticks and petrol bombs surrounded the peaceful protesters" and assaulted them with their weapons.

"The situation is extremely tense, the military has used tear gas and fired into the air to push back crowds."

He also said that besides firing warning shots, the military did not intervene in the clashes.

"But they seem to have melted away from the scene. The military is nowhere to be seen compared to just moments ago they were widely present in the streets."

Ambulances were seen tending to the injured, as an army helicopter flew overhead shining its spotlight into the crowd, the AFP news agency reported.

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