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Saturday 17 August 2013

Moment unarmed protester confronting Egyptian tank is 'gunned down' as 91 die on day of rage and vigilantes clash with police

As deadly clashes between government forces and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood continued in Egypt Friday, a disturbing video has emerged that appeared to show the military firing on unarmed demonstrators.
The footage clocking in at just under a minute was uploaded to YouTube August 16. The caption written in Arabic read: 'The army shoots on peaceful protesters in Ismailia.'
Ismailia is a city in northeastern Egypt, where Reuters reported that four protesters were killed Friday during a 'Day of Rage.' 
Scroll down for videos
Day of rage: A disturbing video was uploaded to YouTube Friday showing what appears to be a clash between peaceful protesters and army tanks in the city of Ismailia
Day of rage: A disturbing video was uploaded to YouTube Friday showing what appears to be a clash between peaceful protesters and army tanks in the city of Ismailia

Under fire: About 30 seconds into the video, rapid gunfire erupts, prompting some of the protesters to drop down to a crouch and others to flee
Under fire: About 30 seconds into the video, rapid gunfire erupts, prompting some of the protesters to drop down to a crouch and others to flee

It has not been established if the four deaths confirmed in Ismailia are related to the events depicted in the video.
NBC News foreign correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin tweeted that the news agency Storyful had confirmed the video's authenticity.
A YouTube user by the moniker ahmedkhtr wrote in the comments section, apparently referring to one of the protesters who was allegedly shot in the video: 'He is my friend. His name is Ahmed Hachim one of the best guys ever he is a communication engineer, had a family son&daughter.’

 
The unsettling clip begins with a group of men numbering more than two dozen marching on four tanks positioned on a city street.

Defiant: As most people ran away, one man remained standing directly in front of a tank with his arms raised
Defiant: As most people ran away, one man remained standing directly in front of a tank with his arms raised

Struck
Struck
Gunned down: The demonstrator (seen in background) appears to be struck repeatedly struck by bullets, and then falls down 

Aftermath: The alleged shooting victim is seen rolling over on the ground next to another man
Aftermath: The alleged shooting victim is seen rolling over on the ground next to another man

Fact or fiction? NBC News foreign correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin tweeted that the news agency Storyful had confirmed the video's authenticity
Fact or fiction? NBC News foreign correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin tweeted that the news agency Storyful had confirmed the video's authenticity

The demonstrators appear unarmed, many of them raising or waving their hands in the air. Two of participants are carrying an unfurled banner.
About 30 seconds into the video, rapid gunfire erupts, prompting some of the protesters to drop down to a crouch and others to flee.
As more shots are fired, most of the people abandon the street. One person, however, remains standing directly in front of a tank with his arms raised above his hand.
Just seconds later, the defiant protester wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt and a white hat appears to be struck by a bullet in his leg. He then falls down after apparently being shot again.
A young man in the foreground who witnessed the shooting grimaces and gesticulates in anguish before running away, while the alleged shooting victim is seen rolling over on the ground next to another man.

clashes
clashes
Pivotal moment: The alleged shooting of the unarmed man was also captured on a cell phone video taken from a different angle

A cell phone video of the alleged shooting, recorded from a different angle by another eyewitness, was also posted to YouTube. That clip shows the protester getting shot directly in front of a tank.
News reports said more than 40 people died in clashes that spread to Alexandria, Ismailia, Damietta, Fayoum and other cities. Egypt's military-backed government said there were 27 confirmed deaths nationwide.
Last night, at least 91 protesters and police were feared dead in Cairo as a ‘Day of Rage’ ended in inevitable bloodshed.
Supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi called for fresh demonstrations after more than 600 people were killed when attempts to clear protest camps earlier in the week turned into a massacre.
The fresh violence erupted when tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets after Friday prayers.
Fleeing for their lives: Friday's death toll has now reached 64 across Egypt, including eight police officers
Fleeing for their lives: Friday's death toll has now reached 64 across Egypt, including eight police officers,
A member of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporter of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi shouts slogans after being injured during clashes in front of Azbkya police station
A member of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporter of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi shouts slogans after being injured during clashes in front of Azbkya police station
'Day of Rage': Hundreds have been reported injured and around have been 50 killed in today's protests in the Egyptian capital
'Day of Rage': Hundreds have been reported injured and around have been 50 killed in today's protests in the Egyptian capital

Street battle: A Morsi supporter is taken from the crowd after he was injured during a protest outside Al-Fath Mosque in Ramses Square, in Cairo
Street battle: A Morsi supporter is taken from the crowd after he was injured during a protest outside Al-Fath Mosque in Ramses Square, in Cairo

Home-made weaponry: Morsi protesters throw rocks, lamps and what appears to be kitchen appliances, near the Four Seasons hotel in Garden City area of Cairo
Home-made weaponry: Morsi protesters throw rocks, lamps and what appears to be kitchen appliances, near the Four Seasons hotel in Garden City area of Cairo
Twitter user @sarahcarr posted this picture of people jumping off 6 October bridge near a police station after the large crown was trapped by armed police
Twitter user @sarahcarr posted this picture of people jumping off 6 October bridge near a police station after the large crown was trapped by armed police

Dozens died when security forces opened fire in Ramses Square, the focal point for demonstrators.
Some marchers heading towards the square jumped from road bridges to escape bullets and clouds of tear gas.
Another 25 demonstrators were killed outside the capital, according to reports, and security officials said 24 policemen had died in the fighting.
David Cameron was due to discuss the crisis by telephone last night with French President Francois Hollande amid urgent calls for EU foreign ministers to meet over the deteriorating situation.
It came as British tour operators came under increasing pressure to suspend holidays to Egypt as governments around Europe started warning their citizens to stay at home.
Police violence: Morsi supporters carry an injured demonstrator during clashes outside Azbakeya Police Station
Police violence: Morsi supporters carry an injured demonstrator during clashes outside Azbakeya Police Station

Temporary care: The Al-Fath mosque was turned into a field hospital after armed police opened fire outside Azbakeya Police Station
Temporary care: The Al-Fath mosque was turned into a field hospital after armed police opened fire outside Azbakeya Police Station

Residents and protesters: More prominently than during earlier violence, there were street battles between Morsi supporters and vigilante residents rather than police
Residents and protesters: More prominently than during earlier violence, there were street battles between Morsi supporters and vigilante residents rather than police

Companies such as Thomas Cook are cancelling holidays booked by German customers – but are still flying Britons out to Red Sea resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh because of differing advice issued by the two countries.
The Muslim Brotherhood – the party of the ousted president – called for a ‘Friday of Anger’ in response to the mass killing on Wednesday when security forces cleared protest camps set up after last month’s military coup.
Beforehand the military-backed government had authorised the use of live ammunition, warning anyone attacking the police or official buildings would be dealt with ‘severely’.
Tanks and armoured vehicles blockaded key routes around Cairo and when protesters converged on Ramses Square, police fired tear gas and gunshots echoed around the capital.
In a nearby mosque, transformed into a field hospital, one witness counted at least 35 bodies.

Fury: Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood supporters walk towards Ramses square in Cairo as they take part in a 'march of anger'. Violent clashes have already left 17 people dead
Fury: Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood supporters walk towards Ramses square in Cairo as they take part in a 'march of anger'. Violent clashes have already left 17 people dead
Protesters who support the ousted Egyptian President transport injured people following the clashes in Ramses Square
Hurt: Protesters who support the ousted Egyptian President transport injured people following the clashes in Ramses Square
Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood supporters carry a wounded protestor in Cairo's Ramses square
Desperate: Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood supporters carry a wounded protestor in Cairo's Ramses square



Fury: Muslim Brotherhood supporters in Sanaa shout slogans during the rally in protest at the recent violence in Egypt
Fury: Muslim Brotherhood supporters in Sanaa shout slogans during the rally in protest at the recent violence in Egypt



Much of the anger was directed at Egypt’s army commander General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
‘The people want the butcher executed,’ said Mustafa Ibrahim, 37, as he marched with a crowd of several thousand demonstrators.
But the population remains deeply divided, with residents helping the army block access to Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque, the focal point of Wednesday’s bloodbath when at least 638 were killed and thousands injured.
While the capital has seen the worst of violence, there are increasing fears it will spread to popular Red Sea resorts, just an eight-hour drive from Cairo.
More than 40,000 British holidaymakers are in Egypt, predominantly in these resorts.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry advised Germans not to go anywhere in Egypt, prompting Thomas Cook and Tui to suspend all holidays.
Smoke rises near Al-Fath Mosque during clashes at Ramses Square
Protests: Smoke rises near Al-Fath Mosque during clashes at Ramses Square



Unstable: Protestors run away from tear gas during clashes in Cairo
Unstable: Protestors run away from tear gas during clashes in Cairo

Angry: Supporters of Morsi throw stones at a gasoline station that belongs to the Egyptian Army in Cairo
Angry: Supporters of Morsi throw stones at a gasoline station that belongs to the Egyptian Army in Cairo
Meanwhile in the UK, both Thomas Cook and Thomson, owned by Tui, are continuing to fly out holidaymakers, citing current Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice that it remains safe to do so.
Thomson said: ‘Should FCO advice change we have contingency plans in place and we will act accordingly.’
Thomas Cook said: ‘Further to our FCO’s directive, Thomas Cook UK & Ireland’s booking conditions will remain as normal until such a time as their advisory changes.’
Kuoni yesterday began offering UK holidaymakers worried by the violence refunds or a ‘suitable alternative holiday’.

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