CAIRO: A mass crowd, popular chanting, political banners and street vendors – the Muslim Brotherhood's ‘million-man march' on Tahrir Square today has become an all too familiar sight. The real battle appears to be unfolding at the army's headquarters, where clashes have erupted between protesters and the military this afternoon. Egypt has seen a new round of violence this week as clashes broke out between protesters and unidentified aggressors at the Ministry of Defense, leaving over 11 people dead and hundreds injured on Wednesday. The thugs, [called ‘beltagia' locally], were wearing civilian clothes and allegedly sponsored by the military, according to protesters. Al-Azhar students, Salafists, Revolutionary Socialists, the Kefaya Movement and the April 6 Youth Movement have all assembled today at the army's headquarters to denounce the violence and demand the military's removal. While the Islamist party claims unity against military rule on the square, a vast majority of protesters appear to be solely Muslim Brotherhood supporters and affiliates. “We are here to protect the revolution as it's swiftly being stolen from us. We are here, from the epicenter of the revolution, to send a strong message to the military: that they must renounce power June 30,” said Naser Al Galeyni, a teacher and Muslim Brotherhood supporter.
