Damietta man dies in clashes between MB, opponents

Clashes between Muslim Brotherhood protesters and local residents in Damietta left one dead on Monday night, according to eyewitnesses.

Each side has accused the other of responsibility for the death. Brotherhood members said that the victim was among a group of armed thugs who attacked a mass protest organized by the group against the military-backed government.

One protester, who asked to remain anonymous, told Mada Masr that the thugs carried knives and other weapons, and intended to attack protesters.

Brotherhood supporters have published photos on social media of the alleged assailants carrying swords and knives and attacking the protest.

But Damietta-based journalist Mohamed Mansour told Mada Masr that the victim was not a thug, but rather a resident of one of the areas neighboring Al-Sa'aa Square, where Brotherhood supporters were heading.

He allegedly died during clashes with the protesters.

"The young man, whose name is Omar, was a resident of Al-Senaneya … he was shot by masked armed assailants who were accompanying the protesters and were riding in a microbus," Mansour said.

Mansour added the protest was "provocative,” as it was heading to the city's main square with the intent of blocking the road.

"Area residents and shop owners have repeatedly clashed with protesters [here] because it is a crowded and a vital area," he added.

The journalist reported that eight Brotherhood members were arrested pursuant to the clashes, which left five area residents injured, one of whom was in critical condition as of Monday evening.

After the clashes, angry residents reportedly rushed to destroy Brotherhood-owned properties, including two pharmacies and one furniture shop, according to Mansour.

Residents also allegedly besieged Al-Salam hospital, owned by Brotherhood leader Abdel Salam al-Ashmawy, upon learning that several injured Brotherhood members were hospitalized there.

The incident is reminiscent of a feud between Brotherhood members and Mansoura residents that turned deadly two weeks ago, when Brotherhood supporters allegedly killed a taxi driver in the northern city, setting his car ablaze after he reportedly ran over a group of female protesters marching against the military-backed interim government.