Egyptian Authorities Accuse Islamist Group of Forming ‘Military Wing’

The Egyptian government is blaming the Muslim Brotherhood for an increase in attacks across the country

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Pro-democracy activists march during protests against the military coup in Alexandria, Egypt, on February 7, 2014.

Egyptian authorities have accused the ousted Muslim Brotherhood of building an insurrectionary military wing to stage attacks against security forces. The accusation comes as mass protests across the country wane but violent attacks increase.

Egypt’s Interior Ministry said Sunday the alleged “military wing” is based in the city of Beni Suef, south of Cairo. It also named 12 people that belong to the alleged Brotherhood-led unit, reports the Associated Press.

Groups supporting the deposed president Mohammad Morsi have claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in Cairo, using Molotov cocktails and homemade grenades against police vehicles and troop barracks in the city. Within the last month, major incidents have included a jihadist attack on an Egyptian military helicopter in Sinai and a deadly car bombing in Cairo. While an al-Qaeda inspired group has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks, new groups believed to be Muslim Brotherhood supporters have turned to violence as well.

Both secular-minded groups and the Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood have denounced the current military administration for intimidating opposition voices.

The regime, led by army chief and likely presidential candidate Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has systematically jailed journalists and opposition leaders and attacked demonstrators.

[AP]