Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — The ousted Muslim Brotherhood has rioted throughout Egypt in
ferocious protests against the new military-backed regime.

Officials said the Brotherhood organized riots in major Egyptian cities
on Aug. 14 in wake of a military strike on the movement’s protest camps in
Cairo. They said the Army and Central Security Forces, directed by Defense
Minister Abdul Fatah Sisi, were leading the crackdown in which as many as 500
people were killed.

“They demonstrated the utmost degree of self-restraint,” a government statement said.

The bloody unrest, which prompted the resignation of Egypt’s vice president, began with a military attack on two Brotherhood protest camps in Cairo. Within hours, the Brotherhood, including supporters of ousted
President Mohammed Morsi, clashed with security forces throughout the country. Officials said about 220 Brotherhood operatives, including most of the leadership, were arrested.

Officials said Brotherhood squads torched government buildings and Christian houses of worship. The security forces were backed by helicopters, armored vehicles and bulldozers.

“I swear by God that if you stay in your homes, Abdul Fatah Al Sisi will
embroil this country so that it becomes Syria,” Brotherhood leader Mohammed
El Beltagi, whose 17-year-old daughter was killed, said. “Abdul Fatah Al
Sisi will push this nation to a civil war so that he escapes the gallows.”

The military crackdown, which included Alexandria, Assiyut, Cairo,
Fayoum, Minya and Suez, elicited protests from Arab and Western countries.
They included former allies of Egypt such as Qatar and Turkey. Egypt
receives $1.55 billion in U.S. aid, about 90 percent of which was allocated
to the military.

“The United States strongly condemns the use of violence against
protesters in Egypt,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. “We extend
our condolences to the families of those who have been killed, and to the
injured. We have repeatedly called on the Egyptian military and security
forces to show restraint.”

The casualty count was unclear as the military imposed a curfew on 14
provinces that could last a month.

“The beneficiaries of what happened today are those who call for violence,
terrorism and the most extreme groups,” Vice President Mohammed El Baradei,
a former opposition leader who resigned in protest, said.

  Abdul Fatah Sisi, Central Security Forces, Death toll rises as Muslim Brotherhood riots throughout Egypt, Mohammed Morsi