This is a brief report after what promised to be a fateful night in which the Egyptian regime had resolved to break the will of protesters, particularly in Midan al-Tahreer. Like most readers, I have been glued to the tube and the internet, following multiple channels, and reading multiple websites. If the plan was to dissuade the protesters from persisting in their defiance throughout a long and violent night, the Egyptian regime failed by all measures. Footage of crowds going back to Midan al-Tahrir throughout the morning says it all.
The assault throughout the night left 5 protesters dead and more than 800 injured--though only a few critically so. These casualties were primarily a result of attacks by thuggish mercenaries (paid the equivalent of $10 to $30 and given free meals) and what was called "invisible security officers" (because they would be camouflaged). The army`s role was unclear. commentators are split among those who said the army mostly played a neutral role, assuming that there are two groups: pro- and anti-Mubarak. That narrative, however, carries less credibility than other more nuanced accounts that affirm the mostly negative role of the army that did not take sides in a battle between unarmed protesters and variably armed aggressors who clearly were not there simply to voice support for Mubarak. Moreover, some activists and eye witnesses interviewed on various satellite stations asserted that some army divisions were actually special forces belonging to the Republican Guard dressed as army officers. These armed "soldiers" would oscillate between allowing the aggressive "بلطجية" (thugs) to penetrate their lines of defense and firing intermittent shots to repel them. Whatever the reality, it is evident that the "army`s" role was neither clear nor unequivocally protective of the protesters as was professed by official sources.
One of our Jadaliyya Co-Editors, the brave Mohamed Waked, was arrested along with hundreds of protesters and was released a few days ago. I just got off the telephone with him and he confirmed what one might gather from following the news, including the above accounts. Mohamed affirmed that the regime screwed up yesterday and last night as it failed to maintain whatever momentum the President`s speech gave some potential supporters. The violence they unleashed unto the streets against the protesters and its callous attitude towards any consequences and casualties resulting therefrom produced two outcomes: it made it quite difficult for many of those who supported the regime to continue their seemingly empty crusade (including those who were on the sidelines and felt Mubarak can be given the chance to exit with dignity in September); more importantly, the resoluteness of the protesters has increased, and the impetus for further protests and mobilization by various groups and organizations increased. In fact, Kefaya and various other groups who stand for change now refuse to negotiate with the authorities before Mubarak steps down.
Mohamed reported based on first-hand experience a story that was repeated in many other situations. Mubarak`s "thugs" tried to torch the national museum so they can claim it was the protesters. The scheme failed miserably as the protesters defended the museum and reclaimed it by way of protecting it. Such acts have been reported throughout the week, despite problematic reporting to the contrary in the mainstream media in both Egypt and the United states--where the narrative would discredit the chaos of the protesters, though, admittedly, US mainstream media reporting is gradually coming around to join the rest of the world in actually reporting the news not their editorial board`s views (notwithstanding the usual "fear" of Islamists/Muslims and other analytical shortcomings, for which there`s no room to discuss here--so, yes, the reporting was that much worse before and it is not likely to be satisfactory soon, just less horrendous).
The international pressure on Mubarak to transfer power peacefully soon is on the rise. Regional and international players who are keen to keep Mubarak in place, or at least the regime and what it stands for, continue either to be silent or to find ways to support him or his officers in managing the developments on the ground. There seems to be a gray area within which the regime intends to operate, one that does not produce too many fatalities but that puts enough pressure on protesters to send them home and to serve as a disincentive for others. The line up of regional and international supporters for the horrendous status quo in Egypt are, in order: Mubarak`s regime, its political and economic cronies, Israel, Arab dictators, the United States--a neoconservative dream team. Defenseless individuals and groups seeking dignity after decades of regionally/internationally supported repression are on the other side. Those of us who watched closely the developments unfold throughout the week and especially last night have come to gain ample inspiration from the protesters` principled fortitude. The campaign to marginalize or eradicate the protesters continues. Those who do not support this campaign should be moved to act in the myriad of ways available to them in their locale because what hangs in the balance is much more than a decrepit regime.
Beyond pontification and analysis, the showdown is coming to a close sooner rather than later because after this fateful night, time is no longer on the side of the Egyptian regime. Sadly, this does not necessarily guarantee an outcome favorable to the protesters` demands.