Egypt: Military Jets Fly Over Protestors as US Policy Questioned

As thousands of protesters continued to chant anti-Mubark slogans in Tahrir Square, Cairo, with military jets flying overhead, criticisms started pouring on over the lack of a definitive stance for the US administration with regards to Egypt.

Netizens watched with disbelief as the courageous crowds’ chants got louder, drowning the deafening noise of jets, while keeping a close eye on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's TV interviews.

Here's the snapshot from Twitter in the last few minutes:

@netfreedom: Live updates from @hrw staff @hebamorayef – at Tahrir Square- Helicopters gunships and fighter jets flying over tahrir #Egypt #jan25

@MohammedHamad: At least do that cool smoke thing to entertain those below you who don't quite care about their aviation skills. #fighterjets #jan25

@Jew4palestine: How brave are these Egyptians f-15 flying by have u ever heard a f-15 its scarier then shit this is history folks

@yslaise: The shouts of “الشعب يريد إسقط النظام” [“The people want to bring down the regime!”] is louder than any helicopter or jet fighter #Jan25 Incredible scenes in Tahrir Sq.

@draddee Extraordinary scenes of crowds unmoved by the jet fighters as the fly low over tahrir sq. If you're not watching AJE yet, do it NOW! #Jan25

@Brian_Whit: More planes flying over square. Amazing scenes on al-Jazeera #jan25

@sharifkouddous Tahrir is packed. Crowd has swelled. Jets keep passing overhead. Mood is celebratory. Chanting for Mubarak to get out. #Egypt

@dancefromiraq: The jets flying over our heads are getting lower. #jan25

@draddee: AJE correspondents reporting 15 tanks behind Tahrir Sq. #jan25

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State's support for Egypt is drawing criticism:

@sheymab: #scary #loud&clear RT @hilalchouman Hilary clinton: “We don't want the change in #Egypt regime becuase it doesn't lead to democracy” #jan25

@im_PULSE: Hillay Clinton stands by Mubarak. (So do Gaddafi, Abdullah, Mahmoud Abbas, Cameron, Sarkozy and Merkel.) Never forget. #jan25 #egypt

MBgrynk RT @Dima_Khatib Clinton: we don't want another 30yrs to reach democracy in #Egypt. Egyptian people are only one who decides if #Mubarak stays or not #jan25

@TysonsThinking: Clinton evades the question of US giving #Mubarak asylum if he steps down. That seems like an answer to me.

ebbitt: RT @mikeallen Secretary Clinton, to Christiane on “This Week”: “I understand the pent-up desires and the legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people”

@gabrielefarinel: Secretary Clinton: U.S. Doesn't Want To ‘Send Any Message’ About Mubarak: “We do not want to send any message abou… http://n.pr/eKEcP8

@get_enlightened Clinton and Obama are afraid to call for true regime change in Egypt. Pathetic, coming from the supposed leading democracy. #egypt #jan25

@MediaActivist: Clinton who referred to #Mubarak as a “friend” is, with Biden and even Obama, backing off from a sinking ship now! @Shoruk_K #Jan25

@JacobMBarela: Clinton, jets, no backing down – so much is happening! #Egypt #Jan25

Stay tuned for more coverage from Egypt.

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

Start the conversation

Authors, please log in »

Guidelines

  • All comments are reviewed by a moderator. Do not submit your comment more than once or it may be identified as spam.
  • Please treat others with respect. Comments containing hate speech, obscenity, and personal attacks will not be approved.