Egypt’s clashes enter 5th day as activists call for million-man march against rulers

Egyptian police and soldiers fired weapons and used batons and teargas for a fifth day on Tuesday in the latest security operation to clear Cairo’s central Tahrir Square of opponents of army as activists called for a million-man march on Friday, Dec. 23, to protest military rule.

The sound of heavy gunfire rang out across the square as armed security forces charged hundreds of protesters attempting to hold their ground, activists and a Reuters witness said.
“Hundreds of state security forces and the army entered the square and began firing heavily. They chased protesters and burned anything in their way, including medical supplies and blankets,” protester Ismail said by telephone.Before the latest secuity charge, protesters had been trying to tear down a brick wall the army had put up to block access to parliament, which is located beside the square. 

A security source told Reuters some protesters wanted to remove the wall in order to reach parliament and destroy it.
Medical sources have said 13 people have been killed since Friday, but the protesters say the latest attack produced more casualties. “Some of those who fell had gunshot wounds to the legs,” Ismail said.
Hundreds more were wounded and scores have been detained in attempts to disperse protests in and around Tahrir Square.