Five killed as Egypt marks third anniversary of 2011 uprising

Cairo: Five persons were killed in clashes on Friday as explosions and protests marked the third anniversary of Egypt`s 2011 uprising, with thousands taking to the streets despite fears of terrorist attacks.

The health ministry said two persons were killed in Minya in southern Egypt, a third in Cairo, one in Giza and one woman was killed in Alexandria. At least 15 people were injured in clashes as police dispersed anti-government protests. Police used teargas and birdshot to scatter supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and other anti-government activists. An explosion followed by heavy gunfire was heard near a police base in the canal city of Suez, officials said. The cause of the blast and gunfire was , however, not immediately clear. Earlier today, two explosions hit Cairo as thousands joined demonstrations across the country to mark the anniversary of the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak. The fresh attack, that raised fears of further violence, came a day after four blasts, including a suicide bombing at the police headquarters. Yesterday`s blasts killed six persons and wounded nearly 100. An al Qaeda-inspired militant group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis (Champions of Jerusalem) claimed responsibility for yesterday`s attacks. Security sources said 291 Muslim Brotherhood supporters were arrested in Cairo, state-run MENA news agency reported. Thousands of supporters of the interim military-backed government also gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the revolution in Tahrir and other squares around the country. Sources said anti-Muslim Brotherhood crowds gathered in Tahrir square, with more arriving throughout the day, chanting "the people demand the execution of the Brotherhood" and "the people demand the affirmation of the regime", Al Jazeera reported. There were further reports of clashes in Mohandiseen at an anti-government protest as security forces dispersed people coming out of a mosque. Ahead of commemorations, security forces had blocked areas of the capital, including Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the popular revolt that toppled Mubarak in 2011.