CAIRO — Mohammed Ismail woke up June 4 to the sounds of security forces trying to enter the Izbat Nadi as-Sayd district in Alexandria where he resides, in an attempt to evacuate the area and expel the residents from their homes. The situation escalated and clashes broke out between the residents and the security forces.

The Izbat Nadi as-Sayd district sits at the entrance to Alexandria governorate, 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of Cairo. Egyptian authorities are seeking to evacuate the area and give the residents alternative apartments for rent in other areas, as part of government plans to give the land to investors and allow the army’s Engineering Authority to set up projects there, which the residents strongly reject.

“The security forces raided the area despite negotiations between the residents and the authorities in an attempt to solve the crisis and leave us in our homes in peace. But without prior warning, the security forces decided to forcefully enter and fire tear gas against the angry residents who were protesting,” Ismail told Al-Monitor.

He said, “The census committee formed by the Ministry of Housing [to inventory the houses and their residents] told us that we will be moved to another area and given apartments for rent, but this is unfair. Many of us own real estate, small factories and shops. How can we suddenly become tenants without taking our full financial rights? We objected once again but no one listened.”