Egypt’s police target Port Said funerals

Egyptian police fired shots and threw tear gas grenades at mourning citizens, marching in a funeral procession following the deaths of 31 people in clashes with security forces in Port Said over the weekend. The attacks have reignited clashes between civilians and security forces. The latest clashes were a response to a court decision to sentence 21 people to death for their alleged roles in the Feburary 2012 Port Said football massacre. The eastern city of Port Said witnessed a cautious calm overnight after deadly clashes between mobs, reportedly armed with guns, and Central Security forces dominated the day. Official reports said that the armed clashes left 31 civilians and two security officers dead. A few hours after clashes broke out, the Egyptian military deployed armoured vehicles and tanks in an attempt to quell the violence. Gunshots were still being heard overnight, according to local witnesses. "Last night was extremely frightening," said Amani Abdel'al. "We could hear gunshots throughout the night. We didn't know what was happening." Sayed Chahine, a factory worker, said that all factories and shops of the city were on lockdown. There has been no report as yet for reasons for targeting the funeral procession. No victims have been reported. Many expect the clashes to continue into their second day.