By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
CAIRO, Egypt – Following the aftermath of the ousting of former Egyptian President, Mohamed Morsi, dozens were killed in a clash between pro-Morsi protestors and the Egyptian Army. The attack occurred early Saturday morning and carried on for several hours.
Two sides to the details of the attack and how much carnage actually occurred have been circulated. The government is claiming that no live rounds were used and security forces only relied on tear gas, putting the death toll at 65. However, protestors claim the army was shooting to kill.
A Brotherhood spokesman, who witnessed the shooting, stated that, “When I arrived, bullets were whizzing past my ears…Today was brutal, people were fired at with live firearms.” The Brotherhood is also claiming that the death toll is as high as 120.
Medics at a nearby field hospital reported that nearly 70% of the deaths were caused by live fire with most of the victims being shot in the chest, neck, or head by what they believed to be snipers shooting from surrounding rooftops.
Doctor Hesham Ibrahim stated, “They were mostly killed by bullet wounds especially by snipers, especially in the head. We have nearly cut throats, just like animals.” Other doctors claimed that they were not equipped nor have a proper facility to treat all of the wounded.
A CBS News Reporter stated, “There was blood everywhere in the morgue. Volunteers tried futility to mop it up with rags, only smearing it across the floor. Relatives sobbed over their loved ones. Women shrieked. The crowd outside chanted ‘down with the military regime.’ The stench of blood and the heat of the people was overwhelming.”
Egypt’s interim interior minister, Mohammed Ibrahim, warned pro-Morsi protestors that they will all soon be dispersed from the sit-ins throughout Cairo. He claimed that lawsuits filed by residents near the protests provide legal grounds for removal of the protesters.
Acting to ensure “the minimum losses possible,” Ibrahim spoke at a news conference on Saturday, insisting the security force’s main goal is to “prevent bloodshed.” “We hope that the protesters come to their sense and that they put an end to these protests in order to prevent bloodshed,” added Ibrahim.
However, two leading political figures who supported the army’s removal of Morsi, have condemned Saturday’s shooting. The highest Sunni Muslim authority in Egypt, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar mosque, has called for an investigation, while Mohamed El Baradei, the president of the interim government, claimed that excessive force had been used.
Catherine Ashton, the European Union Foreign Policy Chief, has urged all sides to stop the violence. A spokeswoman for Ashton stated, “Ashton is following with concern the latest developments in Egypt and deeply deplores the loss of life…she also calls on all actors to refrain from violence and to respect the principles of peaceful protest and non-violence.”
Should the number of 120 deaths be confirmed, Saturday’s killings will be the deadliest bout since Morsi was deposed and detained by security forces over three weeks ago.
For more information, please see the following:
Aljazeera – Egypt official warns pro-Morsi protesters – July 27, 2013
BBC News – Egypt minister: Pro-Morsi protesters to be dispersed – July 27, 2013
CBS News – Pro-Mohammed Morsi protesters, army-backed demonstrators clash in Egypt– July 27, 2013
Reuters – EU’s Ashton deplores deaths in Egypt, urges halt to violence – July 27, 2013
