At least one Egyptian police officer was killed early Thursday during an operation against armed groups in the Kerdasah district on the outskirts of Cairo, state TV reported.
Security forces exchanged gunfire and fired tear gas as they stormed the area to arrest people accused of torching police stations and killing 11 security officers last August.
The situation in the Cairo district has escalated since the army’s ouster of Islamist President Mohammad Mursi in July. Police forces have been denied entrance to Kerdasah since then.
State television said one more officer was injured during the operation. It also said police forces took control of the area and imposed a curfew.
Mursi’s exit was triggered by mass protests that led counter protests nationwide. Violence between his supporters and security forces included massive attacks on police stations, security officers and churches.
At least 1,000 people have died in the violence, with most deaths occurring during the security forces’ dispersal of two pro-Mursi sit-ins in Cairo on Aug. 14. About 100 police officers also died in the clashes.
Nearly 2,000 Islamist activists and politicians have been arrested since Mursi’s ouster.
Kerdasah, known for producing and selling fine fabrics is 14 kilometers from Cairo and is known to be an Islamist stronghold, according to Reuters. Residents told Reuters that Islamists were in control of the area, however, they added that they do not want police to gain a stronghold in the area.
(With Reuters)