Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Egyptian tanks enter Tahrir Square

The Egyptian army deployed troops in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Monday and fired shots in the air to disperse remaining pro-democracy protesters.
A few hundred demonstrators were staying put, state television reported, showing army vehicles in the square and people taking down tents and canopies.
Local authorities say they asked demonstrators to allow traffic to move through the square, after local shopkeepers clashed with protesters for interfering with their businesses.
Demonstrators reportedly refused, so the military and riot police moved in.
The protesters responded by throwing stones and rocks at the security forces and several protesters were injured in the clashes, officials said. Activists said several protesters had been arrested.
Members of the April 6th protest movement say the military did not just storm the square, but attacked the mosque where protesters had sought shelter.
.
"There were a good 200 to 300 people who were still camped out earlier. Now it's filled with tanks and army soldiers.
"They've essentially driven out all the people. There do seem to be some civilians moving around but the army is continuing to move out anyone trying to get back into the square."
"People have been telling us, 'They can do what they want but we will just come back once they leave'."

No comments:

Post a Comment