Muslim Brotherhood protesters clash with police, residents

Clashes erupted in different cities in Egypt on Friday as Muslim Brotherhood supporters tried to hold anti-military protests. The protests came two days ahead of nationwide demonstrations planned by the Muslim Brotherhood on October 6, a day of celebration for the Armed Forces. 

One of the Muslim Brotherhood protests took place in the Galaa and Qasr al-Nil bridges in Cairo and ended in clashes with the police, who fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, eyewitnesses said. 

According to the state-run Middle East News Agency, the protesters were trying to reach Tahrir Square. A military source told the agency that the square will be closed off until Monday, as well as the Ettehadiya Presidential Palace. 

In Manial, protesters supporting the Muslim Brotherhood clashed with residents, eyewitnesses said. The area was home to sporadic clashes in August during the sit-in of the Muslim Brotherhood in the nearby Nahda Square. On Friday, residents of the area formed security committees to identify people carrying arms shortly after the clashes ended. 

Other clashes between Muslim Brotherhood protesters and residents took place in Shubra, the privately-owned CBC channel reported. 

Al-Jazeera also reported that some Muslim Brotherhood supporters gathered near the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense in East Cairo. Some of them were seen throwing rocks at unknown targets. 

Protesters also tried to congregate at the Rabea al-Adaweya Mosque, which was home to another sit-in they held in August and forcibly dispersed by security forces, killing hundreds. However, security prevented the protesters from reaching the mosque and they gathered instead in front of the nearby Tiba Mall. 

Clashes were also reported in Alexandria between Muslim Brotherhood supporters and residents. 

Muslim Brotherhood protests have been scattered following the dispersal of the sit-ins, which called for the reinstatement of former President Mohamed Morsi, ousted by the military on July 3 in the aftermath of popular protests demanding his resignation.