20 killed as Egypt marks anniversary of 2011 uprising

Supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi clash with anti-government protesters (unseen) following demonstrations in Cairo on January 25, 2015, marking the fourth anniversary of the 2011 uprising that ousted veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak. At least 20 protesters and a policeman were killed in clashes in the north Cairo neighbourhoods of Matareya and Ain Shams, and another in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. PHOTO | MOHAMED EL-SHAHED | AFP.

What you need to know:

  • The clashes on Sunday in Cairo and the coastal city of Alexandria came after Islamists called for demonstrations against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government.

  • At least 19 protesters, mostly Islamist supporters of Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected president who was ousted by then army chief Sisi in July 2013, and a policeman were killed, a health ministry official said.

  • The Cairo violence accounted for all but one death, that of a demonstrator in Alexandria.

  • Late Sunday, officials had put the death toll at 15, including the policeman who was shot dead during clashes in a northern Cairo district.

CAIRO

The death toll from clashes between protesters and police as Egypt marked the fourth anniversary of its 2011 uprising has risen to 20, most of them Islamist demonstrators, officials said Monday.

The clashes on Sunday in Cairo and the coastal city of Alexandria came after Islamists called for demonstrations against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government.

At least 19 protesters, mostly Islamist supporters of Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected president who was ousted by then army chief Sisi in July 2013, and a policeman were killed, a health ministry official said.

The Cairo violence accounted for all but one death, that of a demonstrator in Alexandria.

Late Sunday, officials had put the death toll at 15, including the policeman who was shot dead during clashes in a northern Cairo district.

SURGED AHEAD

Tensions had surged ahead of the anniversary, and a female demonstrator was killed in clashes with police during a rare leftwing protest in Cairo on Saturday.

Shaima al-Sabbagh died of birdshot wounds when police fired to disperse a march, fellow protesters said.

An 18-year-old female protester was also killed on Friday in clashes in Alexandria.

Egypt has been gripped by political turmoil since the 2011 uprising that overthrew ex-strongman Hosni Mubarak, and by violent unrest since his successor Morsi was ousted.

Sisi has since led a crackdown on Morsi's supporters that has left hundreds dead.