CAIRO: According to medical sources in Tahrir Square, at least 7 people were killed on Thursday morning when pro-government supporters opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in Cairo's central meeting place. It was the culmination of violence on the part of the government, who allegedly sent plain clothed men to attack the anti-government protesters who have been demanding President Hosni Mubarak relinquish his power. As the government supporters opened fire on the protesters in the square, the army stood by and did not intervene, eventually leaving the area altogether, eye witnesses told Bikya Masr. “We have heard gunfire and it is really scaring people,” a Bikya Masr correspondent, who's name is being kept anonymous after government attacks on press. For four days Egyptians have gathered peacefully in Cairo's Tahrir Square to call for President Hosni Mubarak to step down after thirty years in power. When demonstrators forced the police forces out of Cairo on Friday, January 28, Egyptians took it upon themselves to protect their communities. In some areas there were reports of looting and violence – all of which, according to locals, was perpetrated by plainclothes security or government paid thugs – but in many areas residents came together to control road blocks and checkpoints with the help of the army. By Wednesday afternoon, however, everything changed. Pro-government demonstrators converged on Tahrir Square. At 3pm, when Bikya Masr was in Tahrir, they remained beyond the army checkpoints. The situation was tense, but under control. Soon, Tahrir Square was in chaos. Men on horses and camels charged the army's road blocks into Tahrir. Groups chanting pro-Mubarak slogans soon followed. The next two hours saw a vicious battle with rocks, Molotov cocktails, and tear gas. Live footage showed pro- and anti-Mubarak groups fighting back and forth over three military trucks. The army stood by and watched. A tweet from CNN reporter Ben Wedeman read, “Overheard army officer off Tahrir square. They have no strategy to deal with situation. They are watching passively.” Heavyweight opposition figurehead Mohamed ElBaradei has called for the army to intervene, but so far they have stayed true to not using violence against demonstrators – of either side. But they also have not maintained the peace. BM
