The Egyptian military has called for vigilance against fake soldiers ahead of Friday’s Islamist rallies against the “military coup” of 3 July. Military spokesman Ahmed Ali warned in a Friday statement on his official Facebook page against the impersonation of army personnel “by violent, armed elements [aiming] to assault citizens and drive a wedge between the army and the people.” Ali made it clear that army soldiers are mostly based at fixed posts, and called upon people to exercise caution and check the identities of military personnel before dealing with them. Army personnel are issued strict instructions to show their identifications if necessary, added the statement. The interior ministry also said it would confront with force any “attempt to affect the stability of public security.” The call for demonstrations on Friday came as more senior Islamists and leaders of Mohamed Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood were rounded up. The crackdown has severely crippled the ability of Islamists to muster street support. Last Friday, their call for mass marches was only heeded by several thousand people in Cairo and elsewhere.
Aug302013