CAIRO—At least 10 protesters were killed and scores injured as Egyptian security forces started to clear two antigovernment sit-ins in Cairo on Wednesday morning, a development that observers worry could plunge the already divided country further into uncontrollable violence.
The Wednesday morning storming of Raba'a al Adiwiya and Nahda squares paralyzed the capital, with major roads closed and army tanks lining the streets as the government braced for a reaction from Muslim Brotherhood supporters. Brotherhood leaders had vowed to send their supporters to march on government buildings if the Cairo sit-ins were attacked.
Images from state television and provided by the Brotherhood's press office showed smoke filling the air, helicopters circling the sky, government snipers on roofs and scores of protesters lined up against cars as they were arrested by police. They also showed bloody bodies being taken into a Brotherhood field hospital set up in Raba'a.
A loudspeaker at Raba'a ordered protesters to evacuate the sit-in as gunshots were heard.
"They're killing people! Go take photos!" One motorcyclists screamed while taking his finger and making a slitting gesture across his throat.
The Egyptian army blocked reporters from going to the scene, violating earlier promises the police made to invite the press and human rights activists to observe the clearing of the sit-ins, amid concerns of police brutality.
Human rights groups have condemned the brute force Egyptian police have used when clearing demonstrations. Human Rights Watch said at least 130 protesters had died in standoffs with the police in the past month and called on state security forces to refrain from violence.
http://online.wsj.co...l?mod=asia_home
Oh wow, now this is awful news