16 killed in clashes as Egypt marks revolt anniversary

Cairo, January 25

At least 16 persons were killed in clashes between Islamists and Egyptian security forces today as the country marked the fourth anniversary of the uprising that toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak, prompting authorities to extend curfew in the restive North Sinai region.

Ministry of Health spokesperson, Hossam Abdel Ghafar, said overall sixteen people died in the protests. Ghafar said 13 people were killed in Cairo, two in Beheira governorate and one in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.

The Ministry of Interior said a conscript was killed and three other policemen were injured in clashes in Matarya district in Cairo.

The violence marking the fourth anniversary of the 2011 uprising that ousted Mubarak prompted Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab to announce that the curfew in parts of the volatile North Sinai region has been extended for three more months. — PTI