Police disperse Ultras Nahdawy protest

Adham Youssef
2 Min Read

Police forces dispersed Sunday night a minor protest by the anti-government group Ultras Nahdawy, according to eyewitnesses.

Members of the group gathered near Abdel Moneim Riad Square, in the vicinity of Tahrir Square, and staged a sudden protest, setting off fireworks and raising anti-government banners.

Police forces stationed near the Egyptian Museum chased off the protesters into side streets, ending the demonstration. No arrests or injuries were reported.

The Interior Ministry has yet to release a statement detailing the incident, and has so far not commented on it.

Protests taking place without an official permit from the police are currently not allowed in Egypt, and riot police authorised to disperse it.

Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been actively participating in protests, raised a banner with the words “We Will Continue”.

The name Nahdawy refers to Al-Nahda Square, where thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters staged a sit-in in July 2013. The sit-in was dispersed a month later, leaving a disputed number of deaths and injuries.

The formation of groups similar to the Ultras Nahdawy have been on the rise since the dispersal of the Rabaa Al-Adaweya and Al-Nahda Square sit-ins.

Sudden protests are a technique used by anti-government groups in universities and streets.

Supporters of former President Mohamed Morsi, of the Muslim Brotherhood, have been staging weekly protests every Friday since his ouster in July 2013. However, the majority of these protests are restricted to remote villages and working class neighbourhoods, where security forces experience problems patrolling their streets.

This has most recently occurred in the Matariya neighbourhood of Cairo. Every Friday, demonstrations gain momentum after the weekly sermon in mosques on side streets. Different demonstrations afterwards meet at main streets or squares, often clashing with riot police.

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