Egypt security forces clear Tahrir, route to U.S. embassyhttp://bit.ly/SnphNb
4:28 AM - 15 Sep 12 · Details
Central Security Forces during clashes near US embassy on 13 September (Photo: Reuters)
Hundreds of Egyptian Central Security Forces (CSF) and plainclothes personnel
stormed Cairo's Tahrir Square and the roads leading to the US Embassy Saturday
morning, beating and arresting protesters. Security forces currently remain clustered
around entrances to the square.
A significant number of Egyptians in plainclothes and carrying batons are working
alongside the CSF, including juveniles with cloth masks and batons on cords around
their wrists
The latest crackdown began just before 9am and lasted less than 20 minutes.
The street in front of the US Embassy is now empty of protesters and traffic is
flowing normally on Tahrir Square.
Earlier groups of black clad security forces smashed merchandise stands and
ripped down banners and posters, including a huge poster hung on a traffic light in
Tahrir of Omar Abdel Rahman, the blind sheikh who is serving a life sentence in
the US for his alleged part in terrorist attacks.
It is estimated that over 220 were arrested in the crackdown Saturday morning,
with another 142 having been arrested since rioting began three days ago - totaling
over 262 arrests. Eyewitnesses say many people have been beaten and taken away.
A government official visited the scene shortly after the crackdown and was greeted
with scattered applause from bystanders.
stormed Cairo's Tahrir Square and the roads leading to the US Embassy Saturday
morning, beating and arresting protesters. Security forces currently remain clustered
around entrances to the square.
A significant number of Egyptians in plainclothes and carrying batons are working
alongside the CSF, including juveniles with cloth masks and batons on cords around
their wrists
The latest crackdown began just before 9am and lasted less than 20 minutes.
The street in front of the US Embassy is now empty of protesters and traffic is
flowing normally on Tahrir Square.
Earlier groups of black clad security forces smashed merchandise stands and
ripped down banners and posters, including a huge poster hung on a traffic light in
Tahrir of Omar Abdel Rahman, the blind sheikh who is serving a life sentence in
the US for his alleged part in terrorist attacks.
It is estimated that over 220 were arrested in the crackdown Saturday morning,
with another 142 having been arrested since rioting began three days ago - totaling
over 262 arrests. Eyewitnesses say many people have been beaten and taken away.
A government official visited the scene shortly after the crackdown and was greeted
with scattered applause from bystanders.
