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Egypt

Spiral Of Violence In Egypt After Soccer Death Sentence Verdict, At Least 30 Killed

Violence erupted Saturday afternoon
Violence erupted Saturday afternoon
Al-Masry Al-Youm

PORT SAID - Following an unpopular court ruling linked to a deadly burst of violence last year, clashes in this northern Egyptian city have left at least 30 dead on Saturday.

The Ministry of Health announced the death toll in a statement, added that more than 300 people have been injured in the clashes. According to Abdel Rahman Fereih, head of hospitals in the health directorate, all dead bodies were transferred to hospitals within Port Said.

The clashes were sparked by the ruling in the Port Said trial sentencing to death 21 defendants accused of murdering 72 Ahly club soccer fans following a match last February.

Armed Forces spokesperson Ahmed Ali said that troops from the Second Field Army were controlling all the main areas around Port Said's main prison by Saturday night. Further deployment in the city was also reported.

Families of the sentenced defendants stormed the prison where their sons were incarcerated. Protesters also overran the East Port Said Police Station after security forces abandoned it, and they were also reportedly attacking traffic control stations at intersections. Another police station was also reportedly set on fire, and the attackers looted its weapons.

Additionally, protesters broke into the city's electric company's headquarters. Mahmoud Sabry, head of the electricity company, had warned that the attack could lead to governorate-wide power outages and further destabilize the security situation.

Protesters also attacked the governorate's emergency and rescue station in an attempt to steal equipment from there and use it to break the defendants out of jail. A statement from the Interior Ministry also said that the housing unit for Central Security Forces personnel was set on fire.

Some residents blocked Mohamed Ali Street, a major road that links Port Said to Cairo and Ismailia. Others blocked the gates of a major industrial complex in the city. TV vehicles were also set on fire.

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FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

Will Winter Crack The Western Alliance In Ukraine?

Kyiv's troops are facing bitter cold and snow on the frontline, but the coming season also poses longer term political questions for Ukraine's allies. It may be now or never.

Ukraine soldier firing a large cannon in winter.

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — Weather is a weapon of war. And one place where that’s undoubtedly true right now is Ukraine. A record cold wave has gripped the country in recent days, with violent winds in the south that have cut off electricity of areas under both Russian and Ukrainian control. It's a nightmare for troops on the frontline, and survival itself is at stake, with supplies and movement cut off.

Stay up-to-date with the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war , with our exclusive international coverage.

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This is the reality of winter warfare in this part of Europe, and important in both tactical and strategic terms. What Ukraine fears most in these circumstances are Russian missile or drone attacks on energy infrastructures, designed to plunge civilian populations into cold and darkness.

The Ukrainian General Staff took advantage of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's visit to Kyiv to ask the West to provide as many air defense systems as possible to protect these vital infrastructures. According to Kyiv, 90% of Russian missile launches are intercepted; but Ukraine claims that Moscow has received new weapon deliveries from North Korea and Iran, and has large amounts of stocks to strike Ukraine in the coming weeks.

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