Death toll in clashes rises to 18 as Egypt marks revolt anniv

At least 18 people were killed and 80 others injured in clashes between Islamists and security forces as Egypt marked the fourth anniversary of the uprising that toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak, prompting authorities to extend curfew in the restive North Sinai region.
Hossam Abdel Ghafar, Ministry of Health spokesperson said overall 18 people died and 80 others injured during clashes in Cairo, Kafr el-Sheikh, Giza and Menya Governorates.
Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, meanwhile, announced yesterday that the curfew in parts of North Sinai has been extended for another three months.
The Ministry of Interior said a conscript was killed and three other policemen were injured in clashes in Matarya district in Cairo.

Shaimaa al-Sabbagh, a member of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party has died of birdshot wounds during the protest, the party said in a statement.
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".
On Saturday, 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 who was the chief of the Armed Forces and played the leading role in ousting President Mohammed Morsi after an uprising against him in 2013.
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 then army chief Sisi.
Sisi toppled Morsi in July 2013 and led a crackdown on his supporters that has left hundreds dead.