Hundreds arrested as violence overshadows anniversary of Morsi’s ouster

At least 215 have been arrested and four have been killed amid violent clashes that overshadowed the anniversary of the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi.

Police announced that it had arrested dozens across 13 governorates for rioting and being in possession of illicit weapons.

According to the Ministry of Health,  a conscript was shot dead during clashes between security forces and Morsi supporters in Cairo’s Helwan district on Thursday night. Two other officers suffered gun shot wounds and facial burns, added the Ministry of Interior.

At least one police checkpoint in Helwan was also allegedly torched by Morsi supporters.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood’s social media accounts have claimed that at least three protesters were killed while taking part in pro-Morsi demonstrations in Giza and Alexandria. The claims have not been confirmed by the government, however photographs and eye-witness reports provide backing for the claims.

Bombings

The anniversary of Morsi’s ouster commenced with a string of explosives that left at least one dead and three injured. A suspected terrorist had been killed when an explosive prematurely detonated in Kerdasa.

In Abassiya, a small car bomb exploded near a military hospital but left no injuries. Anti-explosives equipment was deployed and security forces shut down the area as they searched for other bombs.

A late night targeting of Alexandria’s railway lines concluded the anniversary, leaving at least nine wounded, including one child who is in critical condition.

No celebrations, future protests planned

On the morning of July 3, Egypt’s Military shut down Tahrir Square, Nahda Square and areas near the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis over fears of violence.

Despite plans to celebrate the anniversary, political groups, including Tamarod, the group that had organized demonstrations against Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood one year ago, announced that they would not be celebrating due to security concerns and for the safety of citizens.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood has called for new rallies on Friday, dubbed as the ‘Friday of Anger.’ In a statement, the National Coalition for Supporting Legitimacy called on its supporters to continue the ‘July 3rd uprising’ against the government and the Military.

The coalition was established in June 2013 to back the deposed president and grouped all pro-Mursi Islamist alliances.