Egypt declares state of emergency and imposes curfew

The Egyptian government's announcement stated that any violation of the curfew will be severely punished by law.

On the afternoon of August 14, the Egyptian interim government declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in the capital Cairo, the port city of Alexandria and eight other localities of the country. The curfew took effect from the night of August 14.

The interim government's move came just hours after a series of bloody clashes broke out between security forces and Morsi protesters in various areas of Cairo, leaving at least 149 people dead and more than 1,400 others injured (according to the Ministry of Health).

Security forces disperse protesters in Cairo (Photo: AFP)

Muslim Brotherhood sources confirmed that security forces fired live ammunition at protesters and that the death toll in Rebaa Eladawiya Square reached 2,200 dead and more than 8,000 injured. However, the accusation and death toll given by the Muslim Brotherhood were denied by Egyptian security sources.

Egyptian security forces said in a statement that they used only tear gas to disperse the protesters, and accused protesters of using petrol bombs, bricks and homemade guns to attack the police. At least two security personnel were killed and nine others were injured in clashes today, according to Egyptian police.

Serious clashes between security forces and pro-Mursi protesters were also reported in several northern Egyptian cities, including Alexandria, the country’s largest port city in the north. Casualties were reported in the clashes, but the final toll has not been released.

Until the evening of August 14, Cairo time, despite the newly declared curfew, hundreds of protesters supporting Mr. Morsi continued to gather to protest at Rebaa Eladawiya Square and Mustafa Mahmoud Square in Cairo, where the embassies of several countries such as Qatar and Malaysia are located. Particularly at Renaissance Square, in front of Cairo University, all tents and barricades set up by protesters were removed by security forces and local residents.

Currently, all shops, shopping malls and services in all districts of Cairo are closed. The Egyptian stock market announced a suspension of trading on August 15, while all banks also announced their closure on the same day.

Many countries and international organizations have expressed deep concern about the serious security situation currently occurring in Egypt, calling on all parties to restrain violence and conduct dialogue to find a way out of the crisis./.

According to VOV - DT