Violent clashes erupted between two rival tribes on Sunday in the Upper Egyptian city of Qena. Eyewitnesses said they caused nearly 12 injuries. Ahmed Abdel Salam, a Qena resident, told Egypt Independent in a phone interview that the clashes began with a quarrel between two taxi drivers. Later, the quarrel escalated to include the Ashraf and Homaidat tribes, who exchanged fire for up to four hours. Abdel Salam said that each tribe kidnapped members of the other tribe. Abdel Salam added that the city's residents contacted the military for help, as gunmen from with both tribes filled the streets, which emptied of pedestrians. Members of the two tribes closed the city's entrances and streets, said Abdel Salam. Later police and military police tried to control the situation by firing tear gas, but they failed to contain the situation. The Security Directorate contacted figures from both tribes. Qena has recently witnessed a boom in illegal arms sales, according to media reports. Easy access to weapons has repeatedly caused feuds between tribes in the governorate.
