Egypt: World Horrified as Full Scale Attack Launched on Protesters

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

The world has been watching in horror, the fast-paced attacks against protesters across Egypt, where reports continue to pour in about government-paid thugs wreaking havoc and terrorising protesters.

Egyptian protesters on the ground are reporting that the thugs, who came into Tahrir Square, in Cairo, came under the pre-text of staging pro-Mubarak demonstrations. Soon, they started clashing with protesters, throw stones at them and attacking them with knives. The thuggery took a totally different level, when the thugs started throwing tear gas at the protesters, and are now pelting them with Molotov cocktails – some too close to the Egyptian National Museum, which houses the country's history.

Citizens from around the world are following the events closely:

@SoulSistaAfrica: Uh-oh. Confirmed fatalities in Tahrir Square..hundreds more injured. And Anderson Cooper just got beat up. #Jan25 #Egypt

@Salma_ts2al: My heart literally aches. I don't think I can die out of sorrow,but wish I were an uneducated ignorant girl who does not have dreams #Jan25

@dadatrew: Firebombs being thrown from top of buildings. #Jan25

@KatieAnn_O: CNN: People trapped in #Tahrir Square. Thugs throwing Molotov cocktails on them. UN and US WHY ARE YOU SILENT?! #Jan25 #Cairo #Egypt

@CNNDan: Watching incredible pictures on our air now of Molotov Cocktails flying through air, looking like giant, violent fireflies. #Egypt #Jan25

Others are asking what the role of the army is, and why it allowed the thugs in without checking them for weapons:

@ntorki: #Jan25 why is the army so negative toward violence? Molotov bombs beside the museum, what r u waiting for? #Egypt

@m_Beckham: The army is now a partner in killing the protesters #Egypt #jan25 #25jan

@marwaalsaleh: Army shoot inside #Tahrir , #Egypt #Jan25 #Jan28

And for others, the US’ is getting some flak for its diplomatic overtures:

@shmpOngO:

البيت الأبيض يشجب ويدين الهجمة التي تعرض لها المتظاهرون في ميدان التحرير .. يشجب ويدين ؟ مفروض ينضموا للجامعة العربية
The White House condemns the attack demonstrators at Tahrir Square were subjected to? Condemned? They should be part of the Arab League

Meanwhile, tweeps continue to stress that the thugs are government-paid:

@Raafatology: RT @waelabbas: thugs were paid 500 Egyptian pounds per person from the national party treasury & this info from reliable source #Egypt

But the mood continues to remain upbeat:

@tarekshalaby: This is OUR revolution, and no one can take it away from us. #jan25

More news of more thuggery continues to spread, in different areas:

@sara2_ab: #jan25 thugs are said to roam giza, warn your friends on the streets #egypt #mubarak

Meanwhile, The Egyptian Museum is in danger, with the fires close to it. And there is a cry to save the National Museum. Maida Ibrahim appeals[ar]:

انقذواا المتحف المصرى #jan25
“Save the Egyptian Museum!!”

Video:

3arabawy links to Al Jazeera's coverage of the clashes here, when they first started.

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

1 comment

  • James Whitehead

    In light of the fact that we can’t trust our own governments to act on the will of the electorate and the fact that this Jasmine revolution is, unfortunately, damaging the economy of Egypt, I would like to propose that someone start a charitable fund for the Egyptian democratic movement. I am inexperienced in such matters but surely there are people reading this who could orchestrate such an action. The people of Egypt need our support now and in the near future. It is clear our western governments will do “too little, too late” as always. The Egyptian populace should not have to worry about financial matters on top of overthrowing the tyrant. Our contributions could help to feed the population AND, perhaps more importantly, show the financial institutions of the world that a democratic Egypt can be fiscally sound until they get back on their feet. If we really want to combat extremism, we need to support the people in their hour of need or very well financed purveyors of terrorism will step forward instead. We might not be able to send soldiers to protect the brave Egyptian people but we can send funds to assist them and ensure political stability in the transitional phase. Hopefully, someone in the private sector who reads this has the know how and the drive to make it happen. Please let’s show them our support in a way which can really make a difference. I’ll pledge £100 to kick things off if the funds can be directed safely to the heroes of Egypt!

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