Many dead in Egypt anniversary protests

Rights groups on Monday accused the police of using "excessive force" against protesters after at least 20 people were killed in clashes on the fourth anniversary of its 2011 uprising.

The clashes between protesters and security forces in Cairo and the coastal city of Alexandria on Sunday came after Islamists called for demonstrations against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government. 

At least 19 protesters, mostly Islamist supporters of Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected president who was ousted by then army chief Sisi in July 2013, and a policeman were killed, a health ministry official said. 

The Cairo violence accounted for all but one death, that of a demonstrator in Alexandria. 

Security chiefs had vowed to respond firmly to any attempt to stage protests. Deputy Interior Minister Major-General Nagah Fawzi threatened "a harsh beating awaits anyone who attempts to come close to [public] institutions."  7

The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for "an independent investigation into the authorities’ excessive use of force" to quell "apparently peaceful protests". 

Tensions had surged ahead of the anniversary, and a female demonstrator was killed in clashes with police during a rare leftwing protest in Cairo on Saturday.

Shaima al-Sabbagh died of birdshot wounds when police fired to disperse a march, fellow protesters and HRW said.

An 18-year-old female protester was also killed on Friday in clashes in Alexandria.

As part of the Egyptian authorities' preparations to counter demonstrations, the army and police forces have been mobilised.

The authorities had stepped up security measures and deployed significant forces to protect vital areas.

Egypt has been gripped by political turmoil since the 2011 uprising which toppled longtime strongman Hosni Mubarak and by violent unrest since his successor Morsi was ousted. 

Sisi has since led a crackdown on Morsi's supporters that has left hundreds dead, thousands in jail and dozens sentenced to death. 

After a landslide presidential election victory last May, Sisi has been regularly accused by activists and rights groups of installing a regime that is more repressive than Mubarak's.