Violence Erupts Across Egypt During Military Commemoration

 Bitter street fighting leaves 51 dead, with hundreds of arrests, in biggest clashes since crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood

The polarization of Egypt’s fractured society deepened on Sunday night as pro-military and Islamist groups battled in the streets across the country resulting in the deaths of at least 51 people.


The violence came as the nation sought to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Egyptian military’s surprise assault on Israeli forces in the Sinai Peninsula in 1973.

Islamist groups allied with deposed President Mohamed Morsi marched on Tahir Square, where demonstrators in support of the country’s ruling military government had amassed.

The two sides squared off in the deadliest confrontation since the government crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood supporters in mid-August. Police reportedly fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse Islamist demonstrators.

Culled from world.time