A massive explosions hit security headquarters in a southern Sinai town on Monday, Egyptian officials said, as the death toll from clashes between rival factions a day earlier rose to 53.
In further violence in the country, five Egyptian soldiers have been reported killed in Ismailia, in northeastern Egypt, by gunmen. It is not yet known if the attack is related to Sunday’s protests or if there are further casualties.
The security sources said the gunmen opened fire on the soldiers while they were sitting in a car at a checkpoint near Ismailia on the Suez Canal, a vital global trade route, reported Reuters.
Sunday was one of the bloodiest days since the ousting of former Egyptian president Mohammad Mursi in July this year, as his supporters battled security forces and army supporters, mainly in Cairo, on the anniversary of the 1973 war with Israel.
State radio reported that security had regained full control of Egypt but that the clashes had left 271 people wounded, according to Reuters news agency. The Muslim Brotherhood has urged Egyptians to stage more protests against the army takeover in Tahrir Square on Friday.
The recent clashes are certain to set back efforts by Egyptian’s fragile transitional government to revive the country’s stagnant economy, particularly the vital tourism sector, and bring order to the streets of Cairo, where crime and chaos have been rife.
The scene of the fighting contrasted with a festive mood in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square, where thousands waved Egyptian flags, blew whistles and touted posters of army chief General Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi to the tune of a military band playing.
Taking part in the festivities, Sisi and interim President Adly Mansour attended a fireworks extravaganza late on Sunday at a military-owned stadium in eastern Cairo.
The Anti-Coup Alliance, the Pro-Mursi Islamist group led by the Brotherhood has repeatedly called for protests against the military’s overthrow of Mursi, but its ability to mobilize large crowds has declined as security forces have detained more than 2,000 Islamists including several top Brotherhood leaders.
Interim President Adly Mansour has also called on Egyptians to take to the streets to commemorate the day. In a televised speech on Saturday he said that authorities will “defeat much-hated terrorism and blind violence with the rule of law that will protect the freedom of citizens and resources.”