16 killed in clashes as Egypt marks revolt anniversary

At least 16 people were killed in clashes between Islamists and Egyptian security forces today as the country marked the fourth anniversary of the uprising that toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak, prompting authorities to extend curfew in the restive North Sinai region.
Ministry of Health spokesperson, Hossam Abdel Ghafar, said overall sixteen people died in the protests.
Ghafar said 13 people were killed in Cairo, two in Beheira governorate and one in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.
The spokesperson said 38 others were injured during clashes in various parts of the country.
The Ministry of Interior said a conscript was killed and three other policemen were injured in clashes in Matarya district in Cairo.

The violence marking the fourth anniversary of the 2011 uprising that ousted Mubarak prompted Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab to announce that the curfew in parts of the volatile North Sinai region has been extended for three more months.

The curfew was initially imposed in October last year, following a tragic attack that left 31 army personnel dead.
After the attack on the army personnel, the government decided to create a buffer zone along the border with Gaza.
Many Islamists have called on their supporters to protest all over the country to "revive the revolution".
Yesterday, a female activist was killed in Cairo in clashes with police after hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets to commemorate the anniversary of the revolution.

The anniversary this year is the first under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
January 25 also marks the Police Day. The celebrations, however, have been cancelled as a seven-day mourning has been announced after the death of Saudi King Abdullah.
Egypt has been gripped violent unrest since Mubarak's successor Morsi was overthrown by the then army chief Sisi.
Sisi toppled Morsi in July 2013 and led a crackdown on his supporters that has left hundreds dead.