US Embassy in Egypt warns of potential Saturday of violence

The American Embassy in Cairo warned its citizens residing in Egypt from potential violence on the day of the general strike planned for February 11. The embassy issued an emergency warning on Thursday asking its citizens to stay updated on the news and to stay clear of areas of “tension” such as downtown Cairo. They said the calls for the general strike could turn into violent clashes on the first anniversary of ousting former president Hosni Mubarak after his 30-year autocratic rule. Egyptians forced the old regime out of power after 18 days of protesting in Tahrir square. The strike was called for by activists and rights groups in the country to resist the military junta in Egypt. The Supreme Council for the Armed Forces (SCAF) took over power after Mubarak’s departure and promised to give power over to an elected civilian body after 6 months. Yet soon after the council arrived in power they violently dispersed sit-ins, arrested hundreds of protesters and activists, failed on their promise to stabilize security to the streets, attacked crowds at protests and according to rights groups violated human rights. Anti-SCAF protests are often seen in and around Tahrir square where it is rare to see the square with no tents erected or signs reading anti-military council slogans.