CAIRO: Relative calm returned to the southern province of Qena Monday following clashes between two tribes that left 13 injured and terrorized residents, as Central Security Forces (CFS) struggled to end the violence. "I haven't heard the sound of gun shots since 7 am, but tensions are still high and people are too scared to go out," former MP Laila Khalifa and member of Al-Hawara tribe told Daily News Egypt. The clashes began on Sunday between Al-Ashraaf and Al-Hamidat tribes when two microbus drivers belonging to the two tribes got into a scuffle. "There's a long history of animosity between the two tribes and here in Qena people can get into violent clashes over the silliest things," Khalifa said. CSF were deployed around El-Saa'a, Qena's main square and in main streets. Shops were closed and the streets were empty on Monday morning, as terrorized residents took refuge at home to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. "Qena looks like a ghost town, shops are closed down, kids couldn't go to school, and public offices were shut," coordinator of Al-Karama Party Ahmed El-Badry told DNE Monday. At least seven shops were smashed and burnt down during the clashes, according to official statements. A total of 10 members belonging to the two tribes were arrested by police, some for unlicensed gun possession and use, while others were held for vandalizing shops, according to El-Badry. Qena Governor Adel Labib and security officials are expected to meet with both tribes and attempt a reconciliation to end the violence. "They always do that when such clashes take place. As long as no member of either tribe dies, things will hopefully calm down," Khalifa said. El-Badry feared that if any of the critically injured passes away, a revenge war between the two tribes will be inevitable. "Illegal gun possession and fierce tribal clashes happen all the time, but such rampant gun possession is unprecedented," El-Badry said, blaming the security vacuum for the chaos. "I do believe that this vacuum is deliberate, the elaborate weapons used could not have been smuggled without the knowledge of the authorities," El-Badry said. CAIRO: Relative calm returned to the southern province of Qena Monday following clashes between two tribes that left 13 injured and terrorized residents, as Central Security Forces (CFS) struggled to end the violence. "I haven't heard the sound of gun shots since 7 am, but tensions are still high and people are too scared to go out," former MP Laila Khalifa and member of Al-Hawara tribe told Daily News Egypt. The clashes began on Sunday between Al-Ashraaf and Al-Hamidat tribes when two microbus drivers belonging to the two tribes got into a scuffle. "There's a long history of animosity between the two tribes and here in Qena people can get into violent clashes over the silliest things," Khalifa said. CSF were deployed around El-Saa'a, Qena's main square and in main streets. Shops were closed and the streets were empty on Monday morning, as terrorized residents took refuge at home to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. "Qena looks like a ghost town, shops are closed down, kids couldn't go to school, and public offices were shut," coordinator of Al-Karama Party Ahmed El-Badry told DNE Monday. At least seven shops were smashed and burnt down during the clashes, according to official statements. A total of 10 members belonging to the two tribes were arrested by police, some for unlicensed gun possession and use, while others were held for vandalizing shops, according to El-Badry. Qena Governor Adel Labib and security officials are expected to meet with both tribes and attempt a reconciliation to end the violence. "They always do that when such clashes take place. As long as no member of either tribe dies, things will hopefully calm down," Khalifa said. El-Badry feared that if any of the critically injured passes away, a revenge war between the two tribes will be inevitable. "Illegal gun possession and fierce tribal clashes happen all the time, but such rampant gun possession is unprecedented," El-Badry said, blaming the security vacuum for the chaos. "I do believe that this vacuum is deliberate, the elaborate weapons used could not have been smuggled without the knowledge of the authorities," El-Badry said.
