Clashes erupt outside Islamist society’s local headquarters Ismailia – Yussri Mohammed Twelve people, including two high-ranking police officers were injured in clashes that took place Wednesday evening in Ismailia – a city in north-east Egypt - between activist protesters and members of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and the Muslim Brotherhood.
The clashes took place during a demonstration organised by activists outside the Islamist society’s local headquarters.
Security and medical sources reported that Major General Mohammed al-Annani, Assistant to Ismailia Security Director was injured during the disruption, while Brigadier General Yasser al-Hefnawi, Third District Police Commissioner received a nasal injury. Both remain under treatment in Ismailia Public Hospital.
Ten demonstrators belonging to both groups were injured, including one local female activist.
Medical sources said that most injuries were caused by stones which had been thrown during the protests, however everyone remained in stable condition.
Central Security Forces cordoned the FJP headquarters in an attempt to end the clashes, which lasted for several hours.
Gunshots were heard in the area and petrol bombs were thrown.
Police forces fired two teargas canisters in an attempt to end the clashes between the two parties.
Dozens of people belonging to the Independent Revolutionaries Movement and the local chapter of the Enough Movement demonstrated outside the MB headquarters in Ismailia in protest against the attacks on demonstrators in Mohammed Mahmoud Street in downtown Cairo. The demonstrators also demanded the dissolution of Egypt’s Constituent Assembly which is tasked with writing a new constitution for the country.
The Muslim Brotherhood mobilised its supporters against the protesters, arriving armed with stones and clubs to defend the headquarters against ,what they described as, an attempt to burn down by the demonstrators.
Police also closed off the roads leading to the MB headquarters due to the intense clashes.
The Ismailia chapter of the April 6 Youth Movement has released a statement condemning the assaults and clashes.
The influential youth group also called on “all political forces” in Ismailia to “contain the crisis” in order to “preserve security and public safety.”