Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — The Egyptian Army is said to be sustaining increasing
desertions amid the crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Islamist sources said soldiers identified with the Brotherhood have been
leaving their units assigned to quell protests by the ousted movement. They
said others have refused orders to fire or use force against the Brotherhood
demonstrators.

“There have been more than a few incidents of units being divided between Islamists and other soldiers,” a source said.

The sources did not specify the extent of the desertions or whether they have hampered military operations. Many of the operations against the Brotherhood since the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi were assigned to Military Police.

The Egyptian military has denied claims of desertions. The military also dismissed reports that Army units were being divided between pro- and anti-Morsi soldiers.

“This is part of the psychological warfare by those who have targeted
the armed forces,” military spokesman Col. Ahmed Ali said.

The military has been unsuccessful in stemming rising casualties from
gun battles throughout Egypt. On July 8, at least 42 people were killed and
322 others injured in a battle outside a military facility in Cairo.

Egyptian state television said Brotherhood fighters stormed Republican
Guard headquarters where Morsi was believed detained. A military spokesman
said an unidentified “terrorist group” fired on Egyptian troops around the
headquarters. The Brotherhood, which called for a revolt, accused the
military of opening fire.

“At dawn, an armed terrorist group tried to storm the Republican Guard,
attacking Army troops and police, which led to the death of one officer and
left several conscripts injured, including six in critical condition,” the
military said.

  Col. Ahmed Ali, Mohammed Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood, Some Muslim Brotherhood soldiers deserting Egypt Army