Egypt braces for violence as Morsi allies take to streets
Muslim Brotherhood leaders arrested, but Morsi supporters vow to 'bring down' military coup
EGYPT is preparing for more violence today as supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi plan a series of large-scale protests.
Those who back Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood have called for a 'Day of Rejection' following the swearing-in of interim president Adly Mansour yesterday. The Guardian says pro-Morsi forces are "still reeling" from what they insist is a military coup and are expected to take to the streets en masse today after Friday prayers.
Anger has been further fuelled by a series of raids and arrests carried out by the military that has "decimated the Muslim Brotherhood's senior ranks and consolidated the military's hold on the country". The fact that the Brotherhood's supreme leader, Mohamed al-Badie, is one of those arrested is a "stark sign of Egypt's new political reality", the paper says, because he was "untouchable" when Morsi held power.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Gehad al-Haddad, a spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, said that members of the party were being "headhunted". He added that today's mass rally would "take all peaceful steps necessary to bring down this coup."
According to the BBC, the military has said it will "guarantee the right to protest" as long as demonstrations do not "threaten national security". Given the intensity of feeling on the streets the risk of violence is running high.
The BBC reports that a soldier was killed this morning after Islamist militants attacked military and police checkpoints in the Sinai Peninsula with rockets and mortar fire. It is unclear if the attacks are linked to Morsi's removal.
Meanwhile, AP says Morsi was "isolated, but defiant" in the final hours before he was ousted from the presidency. It reports that he retorted "over my dead body!" when General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi – Egypt's most senior military officer – asked him to step down. AP says Morsi was abandoned by the army, police and ministers and that the Republican Guards tasked with defending him "simply stepped away" when Egyptian commandos came to take him to an undisclosed Defence Ministry facility.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published