Since the 2011 Revolution, Egyptians have become familiar with outbursts of violence across the nation. The public is polarised and political groups have been locked in an impasse since December. Presidential calls for dialogue have largely been ignored by the opposition.
The most recent surge in violence hit hardest in the cities overlooking the Suez Canal; Port Said, Ismailia, and Suez, where dozens have been killed since Saturday in addition to hundreds injured. President Mohamed Morsy declared a state of emergency and a curfew in the three cities and tanks have been deployed.
However thousands have protested at night in defiance of the curfew. Downtown Cairo has also had its share of violence with police intercepting several marches attempting to reach the Shura Council.
Protesters throw stones during a rally in Alexandria on 25 January
AFP File Photo
A street vender selling bread walks past as a tear gas canister fired by riot police during clashes with protesters near Tahrir Square
AFP Photo / Khaled Desouki
The EIPR said the law itself goes against the key principles of personal freedom and personal property
AFP Photo / Stringer
The presidency delegated the power to determine the length of the current curfew to the governors of Suez, Ismailia and Suez on Tuesday night
AFP photo / Stringer
A protester wearing a shirt and carrying a banner covered in anti-Muslim Brotherhood text stands in Tahrir Square on 29
AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed
A police officer fires a tear gas canister towards protesters during clashes near Tahrir Square on 29 January
AFP Photo / Khaled Desouki
Bystanders gather around a burnt out police van in Tahrir Square on 29 January
Mohamed Omar
Egyptian women march in the streets of the canal city of Port Said on 29 January
AFP Photo / Stringer
An Egyptian woman shows a live bullet during a rally in the streets of the canal city of Port Said on 29 January
AFP Photo / Stringer
Soldiers stand guard outside a prison in Suez attacked during riots on 28 January
Amy Ghonema
