Calm has been restored to Tahrir Square after clashes erupted early on Sunday between pro-democracy protesters and unidentified armed men. After the trouble finished, protesters returned to their tents in the center of the square, where they are conducting an ongoing sit-in.
A quarrel between unidentified men in civilian clothes escalated into clashes, involving the use of bladed weapons. Several injuries injuries were reported by eye-witnesses, but have yet to be confirmed. Gunfire was heard in the area.
Eye-witnesses report that a group of armed men attacked at least one shop close to Tahrir Square, then went back to the square waving knives in the air.
Some of the armed attackers tried to engage dozens of protesters remaining in the square. However, protesters retreated to their tents, and armed themselves with rocks and empty bottles to defend themselves in case of attack, according to MENA.
A similar scene took place on 9 March last year, when an attack by pro-regime thugs against protesters in the square was followed by the intervention of military forces, who then brutally cleared the square of pro-democracy protesters conducting a sit-in. The violence ended with the arrest of 120 people, mostly protesters, who were charged with thuggery. They were later released pending one-year sentences.
Many protesters claimed at the time that the military had been working with plain-clothed security forces and hired thugs to end the pro-democracy sit-in.
