Attackers armed with knives and machetes on Wednesday waded into hundreds of pro-democracy activists in Cairo’s Midan Tahrir, witnesses said, as insecurity raged in post-revolutionary Egypt. Stone-throwing skirmishes were continuing and activists were gathering sticks and stockpiling rocks to defend themselves from the mob, supporters of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
“A couple of hours ago the pro-Mubarak thugs attacked us and tried to come into Midan Tahrir, but we were able to push them back, with sticks and stones. We fear they will return,” a young militant, Mouez Mohammed, said.
“Hundreds of men carrying knives and swords entered Tahrir,” state television reported, as footage showed rocks being thrown and hundreds of activists scattering and diving for cover.