This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].
One month after a revolution began to demand political reform, Cairo's Tahrir Square was again the scene for bloody violence as the Egyptian army moved to quash continued protests for civilian rule.
[2]Thousands of Egyptians demanded the departure of the government of prime minister Ahmed Shafiq. Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt. Image by Adham Khorshed, copyright Demotix (25/02/2011).
Two weeks since the ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak, Egypt remains grappled in a tug of war between protestor demands for immediate democratic reform and a potent military refusing to cede power.
The use of force by the Army on thousands of peaceful protestors yesterday is a stark contrast from several weeks ago, when the Army appeared to be sympathetic towards public calls for Mubarak's resignation.
Citizen journalists from Cairo reported on Twitter that the army beat protestors with clubs and electric prods, and had sexually abused women.
Yesterday's violent confrontation suggests that patience on all sides is wearing thin, as protestors become increasingly frustrated at the military's reluctance to implement promised democratic reform.
It is also clear that, although Mubarak is no longer ruler, the army-backed political system that empowered his dictatorship for 30 years remains largely intact.
Egypt's revolution has entered a new phase as reform efforts are now aimed at reducing the military's role in political affairs. Protestors may be in for a long fight as the violent suppression of protests yesterday reveal an Army determined to hold onto its influence in the volatile country.
monaeltahawy [3] #Egyptian army and military police beat and arrested peaceful pro-freedom demonstrators in #Cairo today. The revolution continues. #Jan25
monasosh [4] The army were extremely hostile,constantly threatening us wt detention but they refrained coz we had an old woman wt us AKA My mother #Jan25
monasosh [4] One of the detainees who was just released say they r detaining alot of ppl. All are beaten up badly #Jan25
Rouelshimi [5] New post: Egyptian army shows its true colours – http://bit.ly/hHUHUM – #Jan25 #Tahrir #Egypt
ElFoulio [6] They charged abt 30 seconds after the military commander asked ppl very politely to leave, not much for small talk #jan25
ElFoulio [6] The electric prods were carried by military police, army soldiers were mainly kicking and hitting whoever they caught #jan25
monasosh [4] Via @Maswad tasered some1 as he was running,fell shaking on ground then went motionless,heard them say get him,dont know where he is #Jan25
alaa [7] Worrying to see how undisciplined army soldiers where, acting violently without any plan screaming obscenities at women, etc #Jan25
alaa [7] Military police used electric prods, thistime regular infantry joined in the beating, many injuries #Jan25
alaa [7] In tahrir they used special forces soldiers wearing balaklavas and carrying assault weapons #Jan25
alaa [7] Among the arrested: shadi el ghazaly harb a youth leader who was involved in talks with the army, and taqadom el khatib a univ prof #Jan25
alaa [7] The army showed its true face tonight using extreme violence to disperse the two sitins and arresting many #Jan25
Gsquare86 [8] first they cordoned us, then they stopped, then they told us to leave, then they beat us up & arrested many, we don't know to where or who
JanoCharbel [9] Army forcefully dispersed protest outside parliament. Soldiers punched, kicked & slapped me. Then clubbed me w/ an electric prod in my face.
Gsquare86 [8] Revolution phase 3 begun tonight, I heard the taser guns, witnessed the beatings and arrests carried BY THE ARMY.
Gsquare86 [8] The army had to choose at some point whether to choose the people or the old regime, and tonight they clearly chose the old regime !
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].