Thousands of citizens joined the third anniversary of the 25 January Revolution which toppled former President Hosni Mubarak. The celebrations were characterised by calls for Minister of Defence Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to nominate himself in the upcoming presidential elections as military aircraft dropped flags on the crowds who had gathered in public squares. But as supporters of the military authorities rallied in Tahrir Square clashes took place in nearby districts. Protests resulted in deadly confrontations: according to WikiThawra, 89 people from six governorates were killed, 22 of them university students, more than 200 injured and in excess of 1,000 people detained. The Health Ministry reported less than 60 deaths and 27 injured. Speakers and stages were set up in main rallying points — in Tahrir square, near Al-Ittihadiya presidential palace, in Mohandessin and Nasr City — a day before the anniversary. Vendors flooded the streets with Egyptian flags and other nationalist paraphernalia as martial music was played and nationalist songs chanted. Many wore Al-Sisi face masks while women ululated and chanted his name. “We are here to celebrate the third anniversary of the revolution and ask Al-Sisi to nominate himself in the upcoming presidential elections,” said Ihsan Abdel-Fattah, a school teacher. “We showed the world we aren't afraid when we voted in the referendum. Terrorism will make us stronger.” Prime Minister Hazem Al-Beblawi visited Tahrir Square where he declared he was “proud of Egyptians and their victory in both the 25 January and 30 June revolutions”. Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim had called on citizens to “celebrate” the anniversary of the revolution by taking to streets and squares. His call was echoed by the Wafd and Free Egyptians Parties and by Tamarod, the group which spearheaded the protests that led to Morsi's ouster at the hands of the army. Streets leading into and out of Tahrir were closed to traffic and there was a heavy police presence in the area. The Armed Forces were deployed across the capital to secure government buildings and banks. The Ministry of Interior provided heavy security around the perimeter of the Tahrir Square, placing metal detectors at all entrances. Elsewhere security forces forcibly dispersed protests at which demonstrators chanted slogans against military rule. A couple of hundred metres away from Tahrir opponents of both the Brotherhood and military rule scattered in front of the Press Syndicate in Abdel-Khalek Tharwat Street when police bombarded them with bird shot and tear gas. The violence used by security forces, said Ahmed Imam, is yet another crime to be added to the long list committed by the police against anyone trying to express an opinion that is not fully in accord with the transitional authorities. “Tahrir Square, along with other streets and squares, were smeared with photos of former president Hosni Mubarak, against whom the people revolted in 2011, and of Al-Sisi,” said Imam. “Meanwhile, anyone not happy to carry these photographs is oppressed.” Crowds waving Egyptian flags and carrying pictures of Al-Sisi gathered in Sohag, Fayoum and Aswan. In Alexandria, supporters of Al-Sisi gathered in Sidi Gaber and Al-Qaed Ibrahim squares to demand the army chief run for the presidency.
