Rock the Casbah: Arab-World Revolutions

Cymelion

Something like this happening and you open the news to see bullshit like reality shows getting the highlights.

Investigative Journalism has been dying since the 80's :sad:

Mastello

Eyewitnesses : police initiated the violence in most protests. #Jan25 #Jan28

Eyewitnesses: Sayeda Zeinab police station burned #Jan25 #Jan28

Reports: All Cairo entrances closed. #Jan25 #Jan28

Eyewitness reports : security forces forcing businesses to shut down in Mohandiseen area in observance of curfew. #Jan25 #Jan28

GJardim

I love how suddenly people understand that they have more power than such governament and decides to do something.
Keep the work Egypt.

@Cymelion:

Investigative Journalism has been dying since the 80's :sad:

Well, some jornalists really end dying doing it, since the 80's. :ninja:

Chicken

AlArabiya_Eng: German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for an end to violence in Egypt http://www.alarabiya.net/en_default.html #Egypt #Jan25 #Mubarak

. . .

Silverblade

A new age is in making. Call it cliche, call it corny, call it whatever you like. But this is something.

Also, great thread, people.

ChesCa

Looks like a lot happened while I was asleep.
Go Egypt go!
Thanks to trapped, Nami and Chrissie for keeping us updated.

dirt monkey AL

5.34pm: A member of ElBaradei's group told al-Jazeera there are 80,000 people protesting in Port Said, where she said a 14-year-old had been killed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jan/28/egypt-protests-live-updates

I keep checking updates here.

Mr M

the things that the 2 live tv show us are only 100 m away of eachother , yet so different

and the live stream link has been posted right?

and indeed thank you nami , trapped and chrissie for updating

ChesCa

It sounds like a battlefield on there.

Chrissie

@dirt:

damn it, this brings me to the edge of tears - especially the first man's words

It's a great video.

A member of ElBaradei's group told al-Jazeera there are 80,000 people protesting in Port Said, where she said a 14-year-old had been killed.

One expects losses in these situations but it's still so sad, especially for someone so young to have lost their life…

Nami

We are all Khaled Said Curfew has been extended to the whole of Egypt. No one is going home. Protesters are in the streets until change happens. At this moment all over Egypt: the ruling National unDemocratic Party buildings are being broken into, some burnt and some destroyed.

The thousands (or shall I say millions?) of photos of the preside…nt in every street and every corner in Egypt is being torned apart, brought down or burnt down.

new pic:

http://totallycoolpix.com/2011/01/the-egypt-protests/

ChesCa

5.49pm:CloseLink to this update: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jan/28/egypt-protests-live-updates#block-104 The latest from Alexandria from Peter Bouckaert, of Human Rights Watch:

The army has deployed in Alexandria but atmosphere is calm. Soldiers are talking to protestors. Confirmed that Alexandria governorate and many police stations burned down

Mr M

the difference in 100 meters

Chrissie

seattlegus‎ RT @abdulhaykal Alarabiya's claim that Internet was suspended in #Syria is wrong. I'm online now in #Damascus & confirmed with other cities

That makes things a bit more clear about Syria.

Nami

Till now 2 deaths has been confirmed and hundreds of injured.

I'm glad it's only 2 people till now. Of course, the number will rise, but let's hope for the best.

dirt monkey AL

This does not sound like just two deaths.

Chocula

2 confirmed deaths.

Sakonosolo

That video is fucking awesome. I wonder how much longer this is going to take.

Nami

@dirt:

This does not sound like just two deaths.

It will take some time to confirm every death. So much chaos going on there.

Nami

People trying to protect Egypt Museum from looting:reports #Jan25 #Egypt #Mubarak #Cairo http://www.alarabiya.net/en_default.html

Rogues' Gallery

6.05pm: "US president Barack Obama has convened his national security team on the growing protests in Egypt, the Associated Press reports:
Obama's 40-minute session on Friday took the place of his daily national security briefing. It included Vice President Joe Biden and his national security adviser, Tom Donilon. Aides said additional briefings are planned during the day."

Good News?

I wonder what his stand will be on this.

dirt monkey AL

@Chocula:

2 confirmed deaths.

@Nami:

It will take some time to confirm every death. So much chaos going on there.

I understand that, but unfortunately, I expect that number to rise to a far greater amount before this day is done.

ChesCa

From the Facebook page:
Now they are saying, the president changed his mind and decided: Not to do a speach!!!

leo.mysterio

@dirt:

I understand that, but unfortunately, I expect that number to rise to a far greater amount before this day is done.

Unfortunately it's necessary to get what they want, just hope it won't too much and they end up getting what they want.

G.A.G

@Cuddles:

From the Facebook page:
Now they are saying, the president changed his mind and decided: Not to do a speach!!!

So Mubarak noticed it's impossible to talk with the protestants wanting his head on a tray and decided to not do a speach…
Well, I expect to have the minimum of deaths possible...

Hayemaker

Holy fuck…just come back from Pakistan a week ago. Saw the whole assassination situation braek out and develop right there, Rawalpindi was a fucking nuthouse, the scale of the public processions in support of Qadri were staggering; I've only seen one protest bigger and that was in London, Feb 03 when about a million people, conservatively, went out anti Iraq war. And I think that Pakistan serves as a very important parallel, not least because it is an Islamic republic like much of the Maghrib and Arabian peninsula, but they are crazy nationalistic, I mean, neocons have nothing on the general population of these places.

But this is the interesting dichotomy, because what allows us to compare the two, despite nationalism, is the pan Islamism movement, and it is incredibly strong and incredibly fierce. Politics is led from the pulpit, every Friday the entire country shuts down for a few hours at juma, and in the sermon in every non state-run mosque, which is the vaaaaast majority, all you will hear is information re the corrupt dogs in power, that secularism has failed and brought ruin to the country etc etc. Its the breeding ground that leads to thousands descending on the court house to shower Qadri in flowers, that leads to police sitting with the guy while in jail and literally weeping while he recites some Islamic poetry (the video is on youtube, the internal investigative services have since kicked the the police officer who recorded the video out the force, I believe).

A good, recent example in Syria, Shaykh Muhammad al Yaqoubi led a scathing rebuttal against the Grand Mufti of Syria for perceived offenses against the Prophet pbuh. The latter basically insulted the Prophet to a foreign delegation, the people were mad but they daren't stand up, because al Assad will have you disappear into the twilight zone. Shaykh Yaqoubi went out on the nearest Friday and lambasted the guy, and people hit the streets in droves. Of course he was then dismissed from his post but it is an indication of the power of the mosque.

This is one of the major obstacles to democratic rule, that regardless of who's in charge people go to the mosque and take the advice of the imam, hell that's true even in the UK. And that is one of the factors that leads to authoritative power structures, because most people simply don't want nor do they buy that they need anything more than Islamic law mandated from the mosques. Another factor is that guys who have jackbooted Pakistan in the past have led to immense moments of national pride; for example Bhutto's infamous quote about how [paraphrased] "we'll eat grass for the next 50 years if we have to, so long as we get a nuke of our own". And how can you blame them, the wounds of partition are still very raw and the posturing India and Pakistan have continued for the last 60 years only let them fester, so when India dropped the smiling Buddha it was do or die, and a scumbag like Bhutto came through with Chagai. Despite all his talk of secularism and writing a whole new constitution, he murdered his political opponents and fed off the Islamic block on a platform of militarism.

Then you have Pakistan's strongest ally, the not too democratic, human rights friendly China opening numerous weapons factories and facilities, armed forces cooperation, developing industry throughout the land and providing all round investment to the nation. People see a tangible benefit from allying with these guys over the democratic West.

The same can be said for the Arab states, at least the oil producing nations, because the people have enjoyed massive social benefits alongside the iron rule e.g. UK imams being arrested by the Saudi religious police. The people don't like it, but they're not about to rock the gravy train…at least until oil is still pumping.

What I'm really trying to say is, as exciting as these revolutions seem, I really don't hold any hope at all that we'll see anything democratic emerge from the ashes (Algeria post-France?). A Yemeni I know from school pretty much agrees re their situation. Almost agree with all Zephos' outlook on the nations, Morocco, Libya, Mauritania and the Gulf oil states are all safe, Sudan won't see anything despite the partition, Lebanon is going down the pan and Iraq and Somalia are already in it. The wildcard is Syria, looks unlikely but anything can happen right now. It's tense.

ChesCa

6.39pm:CloseLink to this update: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jan/28/egypt-protests-live-updates#block-106 The army are being cheered as they pass in tanks/armoured cars in Cairo by protesters who are clambering on to the vehicles.
6.42pm:CloseLink to this update: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jan/28/egypt-protests-live-updates#block-107 Apparently, bizarrely, it's the president's national guard being cheered through the streets of Cairo as they make their way to the state TV station, which has been taken over by protesters.The Egyptian museum, full of priceless artefacts, is said to be at risk from the fire at the NDP headquarters.
Eh?
EDIT:

Chicken

A convoy of army tanks drive through Cairo streets http://www.alarabiya.net/en_default.html #egypt #mubarak #jan25

. . .

Chrissie

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2011/jan/28/egypt-violent-protests-video

Warning: video contains disturbing images (at least in the last minutes)

@Cuddles:

6.42pm:CloseLink to this update: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jan/28/egypt-protests-live-updates#block-107 Apparently, bizarrely, it's the president's national guard being cheered through the streets of Cairo as they make their way to the state TV station, which has been taken over by protesters.The Egyptian museum, full of priceless artefacts, is said to be at risk from the fire at the NDP headquarters.
Eh?

What the… 0.0 I am not sure what to make of the cheering of the people for the national guard...

Well, I am quite worried about the museum. =/ They better make sure nothing happens to the historical and cultural treasure it holds.

Nami

From Facebook

Medical sources say 870 people were wounded in Cairo alone today.

I guess the whole world is tasting what Egyptians have been tasing for 30 years. Lack of information (information blackout really) , no one knows what's next, no certainity whatsoever, etc.

An 82 years old dictator is missing and no one knows where he is. Some say he ran away but just taking time to announce it until he… is as far as possible. Some day he is ill. Nothing is known for sure.

And also a demonstration in London tomorrow:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177360138967981&ref=mf

And last but not least

Here's a summary of the day's events so far on a momentous day in Egypt's history:
Live blog: recap

President Hosni Mubarak has ordered a curfew in three cities (3.30pm), later extended to the entire country, which was supposed to start at 6pm today and last until 7am tomorrow morning but it has been roundly ignored as clashes have continued.

Mubarak has sent in the army to restore order in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez but protesters cheered the army in some areas, calling on them to side with them against the police (3.43 pm). In some areas the army has done so. Soldiers have shaken hands with protesters in Alexandria and in Cairo. Demonstrators have clambered onto tanks in Suez and Cairo. There have also been unconfirmed reports of clashes between the army and police

There have been unconfirmed reports of many protesters killed today, including a woman in Tahrir square in Cairo, two people in Suez, one named as Hamada Labib, 30, a driver., one person in Alexandria and a 14-year-old in Port Said.

In the country's strongest intervention so far, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said the US is "deeply concerned about the use of violence by Egyptian police and security forces against protestors". (5.12pm)

Some police are reported to have joined the protesters, who welcomed them to their ranks. (5.05pm)

Police immediately attacked protesters after Friday prayers (11.12am) but protesters remained defiant and fought back, overwhelming police and government buildings right across the country. The ruling NDP's party headquarters in Cairo were set on fire (4.23pm).

Edit:
A picture from the afternoon while protesters got attacked duing praying

ChesCa

From FB Page:
Police has now left Belbeis completely and protesters have control.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/elshaheeed.co.uk
EDIT: Also, NPR reported that protesters are taking down metal barriers to try and a take a square (Taihi square?)

EDIT:
**30 thousand protesters are marching in Mahalla freely and under their full control.

EDIT 2:** American TV Channel (in Arabic) AlHurra claims that buildings of the ruling party are being set on fire by the government agents themselves to cover the corruption they had and burn all important documents inside these buildings.

A conspiracy?

Cymelion

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1474311/Thousands-of-Yemenis-march-against-regime

Thousands of Yemenis, apparently inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, held a mass demonstration on Thursday calling on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to quit after holding power since 1978.

That snowball is building.

tigerlilly

Fuck Fuck Fuck! This year started out so fucking insane!
Let's so, Egypt! This movement caught fire!
I have to say this is one of the reasons to be grateful for the existence of the net. Not only might it have given the resistance of the youth more fire, since they got access to information not given to them by their regime, but because we can follow what is happening in a blink.
But this won't go down as easily as everyone hopes. In Tunisia shit went down so fast, it was unreal, mainly because the military literally told the president "We're out if this, you're fucked, pal". In Egypt's case they still stand firmly behind Mubarak and I don't know how far they would go. Atleast the police stands with the people. But I'm scared.
I saw some live footage today, a young man fell down in the mids of the demonstrations, it went down too fast but I think it was a head shot. He stopped moving and his friends were carrying him off the streets. This is a battelfield. It's unbearable.
I pray this will succeed without too much bloodshed! Please Egypt, stay strong!

@Cymelion:

That snowball is building.

Gaddafi, we're coming for you.

Sakonosolo

Yeah, Lilly, that guy was shot by a sniper, not sure from where. I wonder if eventually the military will side with the protesters like they did in Tunisia.

Cymelion

bingo6464 ‎ RT @elaragoz : #Jan25 #Egypt I'm afraid the fire in the NDP HQ might be to destroy documents before the president's runaway!
Interesting point of reference O.o

Fire-Fist

@Sakonosolo:

Yeah, Lilly, that guy was shot by a sniper, not sure from where. I wonder if eventually the military will side with the protesters like they did in Tunisia.

Depends a lot on united states. Mubarak is backed by USA. and a lot of people have high stakes with him being in office. Military can't just take over unless it has some assurances (international sanctions etc.)

ChesCa

More from Israel:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jan/28/egypt-protests-live-updates#block-114
ime magazine talks to "a minister in the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu," and reports that Israel appears to be backing the Mubarak regime:With a deep investment in the status quo, Israel is watching what a senior official calls "an earthquake in the Middle East" with growing concern. The official says the Jewish state has faith in the security apparatus of its most formidable Arab neighbor, Egypt, to suppress the street demonstrations that threaten the dictatorial rule of President Hosni Mubarak. The harder question is what comes next.
But this was the most eye-catching quote from the unidentified minister:
"I'm not sure the time is right for the Arab region to go through the democratic process."

Sakonosolo

@Fire-Fist:

Depends a lot on united states. Mubarak is backed by USA. and a lot of people have high stakes with him being in office. Military can't just take over unless it has some assurances (international sanctions etc.)

Sorry I was talking about the Egyptian military. It seems that the protesters really like the military there.

Fire-Fist

@Sakonosolo:

Sorry I was talking about the Egyptian military. It seems that the protesters really like the military there.

yea me too. Whenever military takes over international community usually adds sanctions. Although they might be backed by protestors. but to international community it would be unlawful coup over throwing someone who is not a dictator (as said earlier today bu US vice president)

Bobjr

Well the Egyptian Cabinet was fired if I read the news right, with promises of a new government tomorrow, though with the forums down and it being a huge news story people probably know this by now.

Kaiolino

Mubarak will continue to be president, so will this really change things?

Badass SnoCone

Whoa this thread grows fast.

I've been growing more and more curious about this. Especially the situation in Egypt, considering I have family there. I would try to find out what's going on from them (from their firsthand perspective), but I haven't seen them…ever, and don't speak the language. Looks like I'm just going to have to follow this thread for updates on the situation there.

Daz

The way I understood it, Mubarak basically said "those things you don't like, I don't like either. I promise to do something vague about it. this time for real." And siding with the security forces and police? Baaaaad idea mubarak.
And what the hell was up with talking about people fearing the protesters? Fear in Egypt is of YOU you numbskull.

According to danish news, egyptians in the street reacted to the speech that blamed the cabinet but confirmed Mubaraks intention to stay, by chanting "Down with Mubarak!"
Fuck yeah, these people are too pissed to buy into this guys bullshit statements.

Also, is it a valid assumption that this thread is what put a strain on the forums?

Fire-Fist

@The:

The way I understood it, Mubarak basically said

what he basically said was

Rogues' Gallery

The fuck was that?

I wasn't able to get anywhere with this forum for at least 2-3 hours because the "Server was too busy".

was this just me?

Cyan D. Funk

Finally, we're back.

Mubarak: MUST. SAVE. ASS. gives speech …FUCK ME.

Fire-Fist

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

this link needs to be on every page

leo.mysterio

@Mr.333:

The fuck was that?

I wasn't able to get anywhere with this forum for at least 2-3 hours because the "Server was too busy".

was this just me?

No, it wasn't. I searched a lot for news about what's happening, and always coming back here and seeing if it was back. Looks like things in Egypt may end up being a little better. Looks like there were 13 deaths and hundreds of people hurt.

Bobjr

Well it really seems at this point that Mubarak is just grasping for straws.

Gekko135

Mubarak should have proofread that speech.