Black Bloc: New opposition group in Egypt calls for violence, street fighting

international | anti-capitalism | other press Wednesday February 13, 2013 01:54 by Elric

Black Bloc Batter & Burn Brotherhood. Islamists Offices in Flames. More hot news at link.

A new Egyptian opposition group has risen to the forefront, as the country marks the second anniversary of the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak. The ‘Black Bloc’ is threatening Islamist authorities and sparking fears of a street war.

“This mysterious group appeared around the second anniversary of the January 25 revolution when they released a statement saying they would fight the Muslim brotherhood and strive for the goals of the revolution,” Cairo-based journalist Bel Trew told RT.

It’s around that time that the group developed a Facebook page, giving advice on street fighting. The Black Bloc has also taken responsibility for a number of acts of civil disobedience, such as stopping public transport and setting fire to some Muslim Brotherhood buildings.

But the masked members of the group say they’re here to stay. “We will always be present in Egypt, even after all our demands are met,” one of the group’s members told RT. Members say the group formed in reaction to the negligence of their peaceful demands and the role of Egypt’s interior ministry, which receives orders from the current regime.

“We stand against the oppressive and tyrant regime. We call upon the interior ministry to deliver justice for those who have been killed and we will continue our demands until they are met. Our actions are in self-defense. We are protecting ourselves but have never attacked anyone,” the member said.