Today in history: Egypt declares a state of emergency as security forces kill hundreds of people supporting former president Mohamed Morsi.

 

On August 14, 2013 – Egypt declares a state of emergency as security forces kill hundreds of demonstrators supporting former president Mohamed Morsi.

In August 2013, Egypt declared a nationwide state of emergency after a violent crackdown on supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, who had been removed from office by the military in July following mass protests against his rule. The bloodiest day of the crisis unfolded on August 14, when security forces moved to disperse two large pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya Square and Nahda Square. The dispersals quickly turned into massacres, with security forces using live ammunition, tear gas, and armored vehicles against demonstrators. According to Human Rights Watch and various rights groups, the death toll ranged from at least 600 to over 1,000, making it one of the deadliest days in Egypt’s modern history. The interim government, led by acting President Adly Mansour, justified the operation as necessary to restore order and combat what it described as “terrorism.”

The declaration of the state of emergency granted sweeping powers to the army and police, including the ability to detain individuals without court orders, impose curfews, and restrict gatherings. The crackdown deepened Egypt’s political crisis, polarizing the nation between supporters of the military-backed government and the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi’s political movement. It also triggered international condemnation, with the United States and European Union expressing outrage and suspending certain aid programs. Despite the outcry, the Egyptian authorities maintained that the security forces acted in self-defense, pointing to armed elements within the protests. The events of August 2013 not only crushed the pro-Morsi protest movement but also marked the beginning of a prolonged period of political repression, mass arrests, and tight control over public dissent in Egypt.

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