Clashes raged around Cairo on Friday as supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi took the streets by the tens of thousands demanding his return to office. The violence started in the afternoon, when Islamist protesters marched on the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo and troops guarding the facility opened fire.
Medical officials on Friday said at least 12 people were killed in clashes between supporters and opponents of the ousted president in the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria, bringing nationwide toll to 30.
Hard-line Islamist earlier in the week called for a wave of protests Friday, dubbing it the “Friday of Rage,” vowing to escalate if the military does not back down.
They certainly delivered on their promise.
CAIRO, EGYPT - JULY 05: Supporters of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi burn tires along a bridge in protest over his removal by the Egyptian military on July 5, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt. Credit: Getty Images
CAIRO, EGYPT - JULY 05: Supporters of Mohammed Morsi pray during Friday prayers on July 5, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt. Credit: Getty Images
Supporters and opponents of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsi clash near Maspero, Egypt's state tv and radio station is located, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, July 5, 2013. Credit: AP
Egyptian military convoy arrives at the site of clashes between the supporters and opponents of the ousted President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, July 5, 2013. Credit: AP
Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi beat up an opponent during clashes where Maspero, Egypt's state tv and radio station is located, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, July 5, 2013. Tens of thousands of Islamists streamed across a Nile River bridge toward Cairo s Tahrir Square on Friday, threatening a showdown moments after the top leader of the Muslim Brotherhood defiantly spoke before a cheering crowd of supporters, vowing to reinstate ousted President Mohammed Morsi and end military rule. Credit: AP
CAIRO, EGYPT - JULY 05: An anti-Mohammed Morsi protester is attended to after as he lays motionless after allegedly being shot by Muslim Brotherhood supporters in Tahrir Square during fighting between the two camps on July 5, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt. Credit: Getty Images
A military attack helicopter flies over a street near the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, July 5, 2013. The top leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood has vowed to restore ousted President Mohammed Morsi to office, saying Egyptians will not accept "military rule" for another day. General Guide Mohammed Badie, a revered figure among the Brotherhood's followers, spoke Friday before a crowd of tens of thousands of Morsi supporters in Cairo. A military helicopter circled low overhead. Credit: AP
A youth is treated for a leg injury as opponents of ousted Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi clashed with Muslim Brotherhood supporters near Tahrir Square, Cairo Friday, July 5, 2013. Credit: AP
Opponents of ousted Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi hurl stones against Muslim Brotherhood supporters near Tahrir Square, Cairo Friday, July 5, 2013. Credit: AP
People carry two injured persons during clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, July 5, 2013. Credit: AP
A supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood and ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi (portrait) shows bloodstains on his shirt from victims who were shot during a gun battle outside the Cairo headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5, 2013. At least three supporters of Morsi were killed and many others were wounded as they gathered for a protest, an AFP correspondent said. Shooting could be heard coming from both the Republican Guard and the ranks of the protesters. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
A supporter of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood holds a picture of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi as he stands next to burning tyres while wearing a piece of white cloth reading 'my shroud is with me' to show his readiness to die during a demonstration outside Cairo University on July 5, 2013. A deadly gunfight erupted in Cairo as thousands of supporters of Morsi marched on the Republican Guard headquarters during mass rallies against the Islamist's ouster. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi carry a man who was shot during a gun battle outside the Cairo headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5, 2013. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Islamist protesters, one holding a picture of ousted president Mohammed Morsi, hold up blood-stained hands after troops opened fire on a protest in front of the Republican Guard headquarters in Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, Friday, July 5, 2013. Army troops opened fire Friday on protesters demanding the reinstatement of toppled President Mohammed Morsi, killing at least one, as supporters of the Islamist leader rallied across Egypt chanting "Down with military rule!". Credit: AP
Supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi rush to help a man who was shot during a gun battle outside the Cairo headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5, 2013. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Supporters and opponents of Egypt's ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi clash on the 6 October bridge, near Maspero, where Egypt's state tv and radio station is located, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, July 5, 2013. Credit:AP
Supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi gather to help a man shot during a gun battle as others duck for cover outside the Cairo headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5, 2013. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi evacuate a man who was shot during a gun battle outside the Cairo headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5, 2013. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
CAIRO, EGYPT - JULY 05: A fire burns on the 6 of October Bridge following clashes between anti-Mohammed Morsi crowds and members of the Muslim Brotherhood on July 5, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt. Credit: Getty Images
A man prepares to hurl a stone during clashes between supporters and opponents of Egypt's ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi clash near Maspero, where Egypt's state tv and radio station is located, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, July 5, 2013. Credit: AP
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