Egypt’s Military Cracks Down, Kills Morsi Supporters
A first-hand account of the deadly violence in Cairo, where at least 51 people died in clashes between Egyptian security forces and supporters of Mohammed Morsi.
CAIRO — Driving to Rabi’a Al-Adaweya Mosque at 4:45 a.m., where supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi had held a sit-in since June 28, several military light tanks rolled down the Oct. 6 Bridge that slices through the capital; the formation headed to Tahrir Square, and it was just the beginning. Dozens of armored personnel carriers, light tanks, military jeeps, central security armored patrols and hundreds of heavily armed military and police troopers blocked every road leading to the rally.
“Turn around and get out of here, no one is allowed in!” shouted the Special Forces officer with a finger on his AK-47’s trigger. He wore a camouflage bulletproof vest, a lifted facial mask and a threatening attitude. Behind him, gunshots and sporadic yet heavy machine-gun fire echoed in a war-zone-like sound.
