17 people died in protests in Egypt

(Baonghean.vn) - At least 17 people were killed in protests that took place yesterday (January 25) in Egypt. These were the bloodiest protests since Mr. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was elected president, security forces fired on protesters celebrating the uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

Anti-government protesters run away from the appearance of police and armored vehicles while trying to enter Tahrir Square, Cairo (January 25, 2015).

Gunfire and sirens rocked Cairo overnight as columns of armored vehicles moved through the city center, where security forces have once again used lethal force against dissent. A Health Ministry spokesman said at least 17 people had been killed at protests across the country.

The celebrations are a test to see whether Islamists and freedom campaigners have the resolve to challenge a government that has repeatedly stoked dissent since the military overthrew Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013 after protests against his rule.

Gunmen in a car opened fire on a security checkpoint near the pyramids, killing two police officers, and a bomb wounded two police officers on duty outside a sports club in Cairo, security sources said.

Also yesterday, riot police backed by soldiers using armored vehicles blocked all roads, including the road leading to Cairo's Tahrir Square, the "heart" of the 2011 uprising.

The deadliest were in the Cairo suburb of Matariya, a Muslim Brotherhood stronghold. Special forces fired pistols and rifles at protesters. In return, some protesters threw petrol bombs at security forces. Eight people, including a police officer, were killed, the health ministry said.

According to available sources, bloody protests took place in Egypt yesterday to commemorate the 2011 uprising against Mubarak and to demand transparency in the death of a freedom activist, Shaimaa Sabbagh, who was shot dead on Saturday. Egyptian Interior Ministry spokesman Hany Abdel Latif said that Sabbagh's death would be investigated and declared, "No one is above the law."

Truong Huu Quy

According to Reuters