Blazes break out in Fayoum, Haram during Friday protests

Violence broke out across Egypt on Friday as Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated protesters squared off against security forces.

In Fayoum, protesters allegedly threw Molotov cocktails near the court house, setting four trees on fire, reported the state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA). Civil protection forces and fire fighters were dispatched to the scene.

In Giza, protesters in Haram reportedly set a building on fire after residents threw water onto a march supporting former President Mohamed Morsi in the street below, the state-owned news site EgyNews reported.

The blaze erupted following clashes in Haram earlier in the day, which saw protesters throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks at security forces as the latter fired volleys of tear gas.

In Cairo, the security forces dispersed a pro-Morsi march in front of the Helwan metro station with tear gas, leading to violent confrontations between both sides, EgyNews reported.

Protesters also marched in Maadi, Basateen, Sharqiya and other areas, some ending in scuffles between the demonstrators and area residents.

Morsi supporters have been protesting weekly on Fridays since the fatal dispersal of two Brotherhood protest camps at Rabea al-Adaweya and Nahda Square on August 14, an incident that claimed hundreds of lives.

The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy had issued a call for Friday’s protests under the slogan, “The street is ours … Together to salvation.”