Egypt’s army has reacted to any opposition to this month’s coup d’etat with an iron fist, and today reiterated its intentions to “turn its guns” on protesters who seek the return of the elected government, dubbed them “terrorists.”
Friday is expected to see another massive round to protests by the Muslim Brotherhood, orchestrated by what leaders have yet to be disappeared into military custody. The army has given them an ultimatum, demanding they agree to back to coup by Saturday or face some unspecific retaliation.
Army commander Gen. Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi is also pushing for pro-junta rallies in Cairo, insisting that it is necessary for people to attend rallies in support of military rule and against the prospective return of “terrorism.”
The protests against the coup have been overwhelmingly peaceful, but have repeatedly faced violent attacks from gunmen loyal to the new junta. The military also overtly massacred over 50 protesters on one occasion, and arrested the protest organizers for “incitement.”
