
A peaceful demonstration where many people were trying to impress upon President Mubarak to step down from the presidency, went violent on Wednesday.
A group of people who support Mubarak as president made their way into the crowd of protesters throwing stones, bottles and firebombs.
Some of the supporters were riding horses and camels. Many were carrying whips which they used to lash out at the protesters.
Other supporters were tossing gas bombs from the tops of buildings into the crowd along with rocks and bricks.
The demonstration that had been going on for 9 days went from a peaceful movement to a violent clash of the two sides.
A doctor on the scene who set up an emergency clinic, Dr Mona Mina has said that there were over 1500 people wounded.
Dr. Hatem Aly, of the Gamaet Einal-Shams hospital located in Cario noted that most of the injured were anti-Mubarak protesters. Their wounds went from very simple cuts and bruises to very bad life threatening injuries.
Many of the injured were wounded by swords or knives, and home made bombs.
Amongst the injured were journalists from other countries.
Throughout the night there were spurts of conflicts within the area.
The soldiers who, had watched from the sidelines as the peaceful protest had been happening for the last 9 days, started trying to get the people to go home. Told them how more violence was planned and that they should leave the square and go home.
The vice president, Omar Suleiman also tried to convince the protesters to leave the square and go home. He urged them to comply with the curfew and allow the authorities to try and regain control.
The protesters did not go home. Instead they set up barricades to try and keep other people out.
There were more clashes over night,gun shots heard at times and fires were burning from the bombs.
The battle took place the day after the president Mubarak had gone on national television and announced he would not step down at this time, but he will not seek another term as president.
3 people died in the clash. One died falling off a bridge.
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