An Egyptian doctor volunteering at one of the makeshift hospitals in the Abbassiya district of Cairo assisting the wounded on Wednesday told the al-Dostour newspaper that at least 15 people have been killed in violent clashes that erupted massively on Wednesday morning. According to activists, “army sponsored thugs” attacked the demonstrators near the ministry of defense on early Wednesday morning, firing live ammunition, Molotov cocktails and rocks at the unarmed protesters. Hundreds of others have been injured in the clashes, which other doctors said saw “thugs” attacking the injured as they attempted to receive medical treatment at local hospitals. Activists also said they were attacked by the thugs outside Ein Shams University early on Wednesday in clashes that saw bullets fired, Molotov cocktails and rocks used. They said the thugs threw Molotov bottles from atop a bridge, injuring at least 200. Protesters said they have arrested some of the attackers and found meals from the army headquarters with them, a proof activists say, that the thugs are being paid by the armed forces, or are soldiers in plainclothes. They circulated pictures of the meal boxes on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Activists confirm that live ammunition has been used against them in addition to rubber bullets and Molotov cocktails. The clashes started last weekend when a peaceful march decided to spend the night close to the ministry of defense were attacked by unknown mobs of men, armed with knives, rocks and Molotovs. The violence, which continued on Sunday left one man dead and scores injured. Protesters were calling for the presidential elections' laws to be amended and the army chosen presidential committee to be dissolved.
