More than 200 people have been killed and more than 1,400 have been wounded in Cairo on Wednesday as Egyptian security forces have cracked down on protesters, according to various news reports. Security forces have used armored vehicles, bulldozers and tear gas against protesters who have been staging sit-ins in support of the ousted President Mohammed Morsi.
Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei resigned in protest of the violent crackdowns. Supporters of Morsi, who was ousted by the military along with his Muslim Brotherhood-backed government, shot four police dead during the clashes, according to Egyptian state television.
The attempt to clear supporters of the deposed Morsi from the streets of the capital set off several violent clashes throughout Cairo. While police forcefully removed the protesters from two antigovernment sit-in camps, protesters responded in kind by attempting to storm police stations throughout the Egyptian capital.
Governments around the world condemned the use of violence in the crackdown, including the United States. The White House released this press statement:
“The United States strongly condemns the use of violence against protesters in Egypt. We extend our condolences to the families of those who have been killed, and to the injured. We have repeatedly called on the Egyptian military and security forces to show restraint, and for the government to respect the universal rights of its citizens, just as we have urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully. Violence will only make it more difficult to move Egypt forward on a path to lasting stability and democracy, and runs directly counter to the pledges by the interim government to pursue reconciliation. We also strongly oppose a return to a State of Emergency law, and call on the government to respect basic human rights such as freedom of peaceful assembly, and due process under the law. The world is watching what is happening in Cairo. We urge the government of Egypt - and all parties in Egypt - to refrain from violence and resolve their differences peacefully.”
Meanwhile, Egypt continues to descend into chaos amid intense fighting. Take a look at what transpired on Aug. 14 in the pictures below.
Warning: Some of the photos below are especially graphic.
Security forces take up positions during clashes with stone-throwing pro-Morsi supporters around the area of Rabaa Adawiya square, where the protesters are camping, in Cairo.
ReutersDead bodies of members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, lie in a room in a field hospital at the Rabaa Adawiya mosque, where they were camping, in Cairo.
ReutersA poster of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi lies burning on the ground as riot police clear the area of his supporters at Rabaa Adawiya square, where the protesters had been camping, in Cairo.
ReutersAn injured member of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporter of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi lies on the ground as riot police clear the area of Rabaa Adawiya square, where they are camping, in Cairo.
ReutersA burning police vehicle is seen during clashes between riot police and members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, around Rabaa Adawiya square.
ReutersA torn poster of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi is pictured as riot police clear the area of his supporters at Rabaa Adawiya square, where the protesters had been camping, in Cairo.
ReutersTorn poster of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi is seen as riot police clear the area of his supporters, at Rabaa Adawiya square, in Cairo.
ReutersPro-Morsi supporters flee from tear gas and rubber bullets fired by riot police during clashes in Cairo.
ReutersRiot police fire tear gas during clashes with members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, around Cairo University and Nahdet Misr Square, where they are camping, in Giza.
ReutersMembers of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans during clashes with riot police and the army around Rabaa Adawiya square, where they are camping, in Cairo.
ReutersPro-Morsi supporters gesture in front of riot police and the army during clashes around Rabaa Adawiya square, where the protesters are camping, in Cairo.
ReutersMembers of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans during clashes with riot police and army personnel in Cairo.
ReutersSupporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi carry a protester injured during clashes with riot police and the army in the area of Rabaa Adawiya square in Cairo.
ReutersEgypt's army personnel take up positions during clashes with members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo.
ReutersMembers of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi throw stones at riot police and army personnel during clashes in Cairo.
ReutersRiot police and army soldiers protect themselves with riot shields as members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi throw stones during clashes around the area of Rabaa Adawiya square.
ReutersMembers of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi throw stones at riot police and the army during clashes around the area of Rabaa Adawiya square.
Reuters
