This year’s anniversary of Egypt’s 25 January revolution did not witness any significant unrest, though police dispersed a number of small anti-government marches in Cairo, Alexandria and Kafr El-Sheikh.
Egypt’s police and army have tightened security across the country to deal with any possible protests or outbreak of violence.
In Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the 25 January 2011 uprising, police anti-riot vehicles and army tanks could be seen since the early morning hours, manning the exits and entrances of the iconic square.
Pro-Morsi Marches
Despite the heightened security measures, four pro-ousted president Mohamed Morsi demonstrations took place in Alexandria.
The marches started in the early hours of Monday in Al-Raml, Al-Amereya, Borg Al-Arab, and Al-Montazah districts.
Dozens of protesters, mostly women, chanted against the army and police and called for the release of Morsi and other Muslim Brotherhood members.
The marches were quickly dispersed by the police.
While in Matariya district, pro-Morsi marchers attempted to block traffic in Masala Square. But security forces quickly dispersed them, according to Ahram Arabic news website.
Attempts at demonstrations in Giza’s Haram district were quickly broken up by the police.
In Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, men, women, and children reportedly protested on the International Coastal Road, attempting to block it.
The marchers reportedly left as police arrived on the scene.
Celebrating Police Day
Meanwhile in Alexandria’s Qaed Ibrahim Square, dozens of citizens organised a march to celebrate national Police Day, which falls on the anniversary of the revolution.
Those attending chanted pro-police and army slogans and gave out flowers to the security personnel.
Similarly, in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, tens of pro-police individulas also celebrated Police Day.
Most streets remain empty midday, as citizens have been warned on this national holiday and uprising anniversary that violent protests may take place.
The anniversary has also witnessed rain and colder temperatures in Cairo and other parts of the country.
Government kills ‘terrorists’
On Monday morning, police killed a man in Beni Suef governorate after he allegedly attacked a security checkpoint, according to the health ministry.
Meanwhile, in 6 October City, a satellite district west of Cairo, two “terrorists” were killed in an exchange of fire with security personnel.
According to security sources, the suspects stored weapons and ammunitions inside their apartment.
On Sunday night, security forces had also killed an alleged militant in a raid-turned-shootout in his home in Kerdasa.
The interior ministry said they confiscated bombs in the Kerdasa house resembled a bomb that exploded last week in a raid in an apartment hideout in Haram district. That raid left eight policemen and three civilians dead.
The central operations room at the Cabinet’s Information Centre (CIC) said it has not received any reports of clashes, violence, or explosions.
Source: Ahram Online
