Egypt Unravels: VP ElBaradei Quits in Protest

Security forces stage deadly raids; toll hits 149
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 14, 2013 2:00 AM CDT
Updated Aug 14, 2013 11:24 AM CDT
Dozens Killed as Egypt Raids Protest Camps: Reports
In this image made from AP video, Egyptian security forces throw tear gas towards supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi at a sit-in in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013.   (AP video)

It's been a bloody, chaotic day in Egypt:

  • Security forces raided two pro-Mohamed Morsi protest camps in Cairo, and reports of casualties are rising quickly. The country's health ministry now says 149 are dead and about 1,400 injured in Cairo and elsewhere, reports AP. The Muslim Brotherhood says the figures are even higher.
  • Nobel prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei resigned from his post as vice president in protest of the violent crackdown, reports Reuters.
  • The government put into place a one-month state of emergency and ordered the army to help police enforce it, reports the BBC. The White House condemned both the violence and the emergency declaration, adds the Hill. "We will continue to hold the interim government accountable for the promise they have made to speed the transition to a civilian democratic government," said a spokesman.

Trains to Cairo have been halted, and the Muslim Brotherhood says the move is to prevent outside aid from arriving. Protesters had held the two camps for some six weeks now, and they were braced for an eventual raid following the end of Ramadan last week, reports CNN. Among those reported killed is the 17-year-old daughter of Mohamed al-Beltagy, a leading figure in the Muslim Brotherhood. Sky News is confirming that cameraman Mick Deane was also among those killed, and a Reuters reporter saw at least 20 protesters shot in the legs. (More Egypt stories.)

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