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Egyptian Police Launch Dawn Raid to Evict Tahrir Square Protesters

Egyptian Military Attacks Protesters in Tahrir Square

CAIRO (The Blaze/AP) — Following clashes that led to multiple deaths on Monday, Egyptian troops and riot police raided Cairo’s Tahrir Square early on Tuesday. It was the military’s latest attempt to evict protesters who want the ruling military to immediately step down, according to a field hospital doctor.

It was the second pre-dawn raid in as many days on the city’s central square. It comes as Egypt’s ruling generals are coming under mounting criticism at home and abroad over the excessive use of force by troops against unarmed protesters, including women, since the latest spate of violence broke out on Friday. At least 14 protesters have since been killed.

A 15-year-old protester was in critical condition after suffering a gunshot wound in Tuesday’s attack, said Dr. Ahmed Saad, a volunteer at the field hospital in Tahrir Square.

The troops and police initially succeeded in chasing the protesters out of the square, but they returned a short time later using a different route. The security forces pulled out of the square following clashes in which each side pelted the other with rocks.

The military took power after an 18-day uprising forced longtime leader Hosni Mubarak to step down 10 months ago. They have since been accused by activists and rights groups of mismanaging the transition period, human rights abuses and failing to revive the ailing economy or restore security.

A member of the military council on Monday sought to discredit the revolutionaries behind Mubarak’s ouster and the ongoing round of protests, questioning their motives and morals and speaking of a conspiracy to “topple the state” by parties he did not identify. He also lashed out at the media, saying it was fomenting sedition.

Maj. Gen. Adel Emara also defended the use of force by troops, saying they had a duty to defend the state’s institutions amd declined to offer an apology for the brutality shown by troops toward female protesters and which have been documented by activists and posted on social network sites and splashed on the front pages of independent newspapers.

Egyptian Military Attacks Protesters in Tahrir Square

The image of a young woman being dragged on the ground, stripped half naked and stomped on by soldiers stood out as the most compelling of the images used by the activists against the soldiers’ handling of the protesters. Emara did not dispute the authenticity of the image, but said Egyptians should not see it without considering the circumstances surrounding the incident. He did not elaborate.

The brutality shown by the troops to protesters, particularly the women, drew the ire of the U.N. rights chief and unusually harsh words from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Addressing students at Georgetown University on Monday, Clinton said the events in Egypt in recent days were shocking and accused the Egyptian security forces and extremists of specifically targeting women.

“And now, women are being attacked, stripped, and beaten in the streets,” she said. “This systematic degradation of Egyptian women dishonors the revolution, disgraces the state and its uniform, and is not worthy of a great people.”

During Monday’s nationally televised news conference, Emara dodged most of the reporters’ questions, went into long rants against the protesters and the media, threatened a female reporter he would throw her out if she interrupted again and abruptly ended the session after taking only a handful of questions.

Navi Pillay, the U.N.’s human rights chief, called on the ruling generals to arrest and prosecute officials behind the crackdown. Pillay called the graphic images of protesters being smashed on the head and body with clubs long after they stopped resisting “utterly shocking.”

Amnesty International issued a statement Monday calling on nations to stop selling small arms and ammunition to Egypt.

In the wake of the violence in Cairo, the rights group said it can no longer be considered acceptable to supply the Egyptian army with the types of equipment used to disperse protesters.

The Tuesday edition of the independent Al-Tahrir newspaper has on its front page a composite picture of Emara addressing the news conference with the photo of the soldiers stomping on and beating the half naked woman projected on the wall behind him.

Mocking the generals’ repeated use of the patriotic card in defense of their record, the words “Egypt always comes first” were written below the image.

Fueling the outrage over the troops’ rough handling of protesters, a retired army general known to be linked to the ruling military council told a newspaper interviewer this week that the protesters should be thrown into “Hitler’s ovens,” a reference to one of the methods used by Nazi Germany in the Holocaust.

Comments (50)

1 2
  • Daveed
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:42am

    This is an excerpt from a 5 star article that was written by Patrick Buchanan. It is an interesting read and everybody must judge for themselves.
    If demography is destiny, the future would seem to belong to Islam.

    “Consider. The six most populous Muslim nations — Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Turkey — had a total population of 242 million in 1950. By 2050, that 242 million will have quintupled to 1.36 billion people.

    Meanwhile, Europe’s fertility rate has been below zero population growth since the 1970s. Old Europe is dying, and its indigenous peoples are being replaced by Third World immigrants, millions of them Muslim.

    Yet there is another side to the Islamic story.

    In international test scores of high school students in reading, math and science, not one Muslim nation places in the top 30. Take away oil and gas, and from Algeria to Iran these nations would have little to offer the world. Iran would have to fall back on exports of carpets, caviar and pistachio nuts.

    Not one Muslim nation is a member of the G-8 economic powers or the BRIC-four emerging powers — Brazil, Russia, India, China.

    In the 20th century, the world saw the rise of the Asian “tigers” — South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong. Where are the Muslim tigers?

    A few years back, the gross domestic product of the entire Arab world was only equal to Spain’s. Take away oil and gas, and its exports were equal to Finland’s.

    Measured by manufactur

    Report Post »  
    • AB5r
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:47pm

      Take a look at the number of Muslim Nobel Prizes vs. Christians and Jews. Also note how more books are translated into Spanish in one year than have ever been translated into Arabic.

      Report Post » AB5r  
    • heartitorleaveit
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:55pm

      Latest version of Gunsmoke:

      (Fade from credits) “Move along, nothing to see here, were just gonna set up over here in your back yard.” Nevermind the peacefull muslims, tears in there eyes I guess, were just makin goatsmilk for the market to help the locals and stuff. “Man that hummus sure is tasty Hoss !“ ”lets go tell Pa.”

      Fade to Black

      Meanwhile two generations later, back at the ranch:

      “THATS OFFENSIVE! HOW DARE YOU LOOK AT MY WOMANS ANKLES! THIS IS THE LAND OF MY FORFATHERS AND ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT SUBMIT MUST BE BEHEADED!”
      “gee uncle Joe, we have been politically incorrect!“ ”we oughta go turn ourselves into the marshall!”
      —–

      sheesh these ANTI-CHRISTIANS ARE CURSED ;]

      Report Post » heartitorleaveit  
  • tharpdevenport
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:17am

    I didn’t know Occupy Wall Street was at Tahrir Square.

    Report Post » tharpdevenport  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:04am

      mmmm, smell that fresh arab spring..cough..cough.

      Report Post »  
    • carbonyes
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:47am

      The dear people of Egypt can thank our not so dear President Barack Hussein Obama for his incompetence in foreign affairs, and administrative and executive inexperience as well as his lame- brained lack of understanding of the matters at hand as his socialistic/communistic/Islamic empathy and one world government agenda.

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:34am

    Mubarak was too soft on the MB and should have eliminated them years ago,his mistake cost him his country and soon his life.The MB are lunatic Islamists bent on the destruction of Israel and America and must be exterminated.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • lukerw
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:05am

      He walked a fine line… fearing that they would assassinate him alike Sadat…

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:34am

    Walk (war) like an Egyptian…

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • ronaldreaganthegreat
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:10am

    But but, the arab spring is democracy according to obamamao and his occutard supporters, LoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooL!

    Tea:-)

    Report Post » ronaldreaganthegreat  
  • lukerw
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:09am

    Don’t take sides… this is just an Islamic Power Struggle!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • JRE
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:03am

    Like I’ve said many times before.
    There can be no peace on earth until Islam is gone.
    EVERY conflict in the world over the last 10 years has had muslims on at least one side.

    Report Post »  
  • blkbelt7
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:02am

    just wait til next summer…this is what Van Jones will want for the 1% and those against OWSers…coming to a city near you…ABO

    Report Post »  
  • tbarr4
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:57am

    Good Job Andersen Cooper look what your great Democracy has brought!! Muslim Brotherhood is what you wanted?? Arrest/fire Cooper now!

    Report Post »  
  • gwssacredcause
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:31am

    I’m surrre the U.N. will step in and show us how a civilized people will handle the few undisciplined radicals. Maybe Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will help clean all this up so no one will be pulled into the “phenomenon of Islamophobia.” I’m sure after Hillary and the U.N. have finished passing U.N. resolution 16/18 all uncivilized treatment will just go away.

    Report Post »  
  • Netsurfer2
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:29am

    This is the true colors of what these animals are like! You hear of women being beaten in the streets and stripped naked while being treated like a piece of commodity! They don’t have any remorse for anything, they do nor know how to conduct themselves in a civilized manor! These are the kinds of people that want to control the world and hate anyone that does not believe the way they do??? I call them the radical crazies! Then you have the communists, socialists and people who believe they deserve something (Democrats) for nothing! All these groups have on thing in common, “they want to control everyone in the world to what they believe!” There is nothing honest about anyone one of these groups! I would not doubt if these people try to create problems in our own back yard!

    God Bless America! God Bless Israel!

    Report Post » Netsurfer2  
  • AB5r
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:27am

    Clinton said “And now, women are being attacked, stripped, and beaten in the streets, This systematic degradation of Egyptian women dishonors the revolution, disgraces the state and its uniform, and is not worthy of a great people.”

    Islam involves the systematic degradation of women (and Christians, and Jews,) this has been going on for the past 1400 years with only few exceptions including in Egypt in the modern era where at times women did seem to be gaining some normal rights dressing normally and attending university.

    Report Post » AB5r  
  • nobull14
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:24am

    Instead of the Arab spring they should of called it the sewage pipe ? .Because that what there going to get ? .We can thank Oturd for this mess !!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • mikee1
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:02am

    This is your Arab Spring that the RINO/DUMMYCRAP OLIGARCHY INSTALLED.

    Report Post » mikee1  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:59am

    “This is what Democracy looks like!”

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • AB5r
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:21am

      No, this is what Islam looks like. There is no Democracy in Islam, Islam does not allow Democracy. Islam has no place in the West.

      Report Post » AB5r  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:51am

      Oh but you’re so wrong, Hillary and the POTUS have assured us that it’s a “democratic revolution” not an Islamic revolution. See? nothing to worry about.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • AB5r
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:10am

      It isn’t just those two, most people in the West, including so-called Conservatives, are nowhere near ready to admit that it is 100% impossible to assimilate or integrate Islam into the West or in any way democratize lands already fallen to Islam. We are allowing Islam to spread in America and worrying about TLC programs and Lowe’s advertising when the reality is Islam has no place in America, not now, not ever, and that will never change. Yet the spread of Islam in the West continues. Even after wasting the last ten years in Iraq and Afghanistan, most still just don’t get it, not even our military leaders or politicians or religious leaders, no one.

      Report Post » AB5r  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:58am

    It appears that Hitler is a hero to many in Egypt even against their own people and certainly against Israel. What strange heroes people have now including some in our own administration that admire Mao, Che, etc. Yes, very interesting times. May the wrong fail and the right prevail. Merry Christmas.

    Report Post » NHwinter  
    • AB5r
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:19am

      Many Nazis went to Eqypt after the war.

      Report Post » AB5r  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:55am

    .
    Egyptian Army General: Protesters Should Be Thrown Into ‘Hitler’s Ovens’….

    Hey OWS people, didn’t Obama go and Bend Over for those folks? Better watch who you protest for. I’m just saying…..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • bets
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:32am

    Arab Spring? A time for life to return. Would not like to see Arab winter. Where is code Pink? And Hillary and the UN are angry? More like throwing temper tantrums, because the enemy of their enemy is not following their play book. This was not supposed to happen until the UN could control Western World then the UN could sanction them and put them in line. Lord please help us.

    Report Post »  
  • Dougalug
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:16am

    Inspired and brought to US all by president hussein for without him this wouldn`t be possible!

    Report Post »  
  • JimmyP
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:13am

    Watch out Egyptian military, Hillary is A N G R Y. There will be condemnations followed by demands and, if things don’t improve the image of Barack Hussain Obama, Madame SOS might hold her breath until she turns blue. How dare you not conform to our image? How dare you not s-chew violence?

    How could we have known, this is terrible for BHO, oh, but wait, the MSM will squash any reporting of this so….Barry WINS AGAIN!!!

    Report Post » JimmyP  
  • dsm
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:03am

    “This is what democracy looks like”. Hey Bill Krystol, how great is the arab spring now? If you were honorable at all, you would apologize to Glenn Beck for your stupid remarks regarding Glenn and his view of what would and is happening in Egypt.

    Report Post »  
  • NewLife56
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 6:56am

    Hows that Arab Springy thingy workin out for ya?

    Hey Nancy Pelosi? Guess your a Sister in Arms with this group too huh?

    Report Post » NewLife56  
  • Mateytwo Barreett
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 6:53am

    Ahh! The Arab spring, so -so inspiring!!! So- so democratic!! So- so who couldn’t see this coming?
    And where is the wunnerful media? I wanna see some more :democracy in action”!

    Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 6:52am

    Hooray for democracy and women’s rights in Egypt! Oh, wait….. hang on, I thought these despicable things only happened in Israel to palestina-swines? Isn’t that what the media loves to tell us? You don’t mean to say that Arab muslim men are behind all of this brutality, especially towards women?? Oh, the horror!!! Say it ain’t so, Joe!! Obumbler lied when he said this “arab spring” was a good thing?? Oh, the humanity! Nooooooo!!!!!!!!

    tee hee!!!!

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • Pocono_Oathkeeper
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 6:44am

    How’s that “Arab Spring” grabbin’ ya now, Baraaaaack? Democracy for Muslims, are you friggin’ kidding me?

    Report Post »  
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