Watan-Condemnations have escalated following violent clashes between police forces and residents on Warraq Island in the Nile River in Egypt, which resulted in dozens of injuries.
The Civil Democratic Movement, which includes a number of opposition parties and public figures, condemned what it described as repressive practices and systematic violations targeting the forced displacement of Warraq Island residents from their land and homes, where they have lived for generations and built a history of stability.
In a statement, the movement said that the ongoing security raids, arrests, and excessive use of force against unarmed civilians are blatant violations of constitutional and human rights, and represent brutal security repression aimed at uprooting people from their homes for the benefit of investment projects that do not recognize the existence of the citizens.
Warraq Crisis: Civil Groups Condemn State Violence, Demand Justice
The movement added that what is happening on Warraq is not a dispute over urban planning, but rather a fully-fledged crime. It reflects the state’s continued approach to managing housing and urban planning issues through force rather than dialogue, participation, and justice.
It emphasized that respecting the right to safe housing, rejecting forced displacement, and ensuring the participation of residents in any development projects that affect their lives is a constitutional, human, and political duty. It further stressed that treating citizens as obstacles to “national projects” deviates from the true concept of development, which should be built for people—not at their expense.
The Civil Democratic Movement called for the immediate release of all detainees arrested during the recent events on Warraq Island, the cessation of all forms of violence against residents, and the initiation of a serious and transparent community dialogue to restore rights to their owners and lay the foundations for a just path that respects human dignity and achieves sustainable development without sacrificing the rights and dignity of citizens.
The Conservative Party renewed its solidarity with the residents of Warraq Island, stressing that resorting to violence in dealing with citizens is a red line that must not be crossed under any justification. The party stated that the dignity and legal and constitutional rights of Egyptian citizens must always remain a top priority.
In a statement, the party said that the recent excessive use of force against peacefully protesting residents was not only a security breach but also a direct threat to social peace. It reflected a failure in crisis management mechanisms and a dangerous disregard for the principles of dialogue and consensus.
Calls for Justice Rise as Warraq Residents Face Escalation
The party affirmed that the citizen has the original right to their land, home, and livelihood, and that the state, with all its institutions, must serve its people, not act as an adversary. It warned of the consequences of continued escalation against the island’s residents, stating that repeated violations would fuel serious social tensions with unpredictable outcomes. The only solution, the party said, lies in opening genuine negotiation channels, adopting transparent and just approaches to assess the situation, and involving residents in decision-making regarding their future.
The party called on all political, social, and parliamentary forces to unite behind this just demand and work to stop any practices that infringe on citizens’ fundamental rights, emphasizing that a strong state is one that protects its people—not one that represses them.
On Monday evening, Egyptian security forces released all those arrested during the events of April 12, except for two individuals.
Residents welcomed the released detainees with fireworks in front of the ferry crossings—the only means of transportation to and from the island.
Makram Mahrous, one of the residents who refuses to leave his home and posts videos documenting police assaults on Facebook, called for the release of Fathy Al-Helwany and Ahmed Amin, who were arrested by security forces in recent days. He noted that the island’s residents would not abandon them, especially as both are under the age of 16.
Mahrous also posted photos showing injuries sustained by several residents.
According to residents’ testimonies, police forces began their assault on the island last Saturday afternoon, continuing until midnight. They stormed the island from the Rod El-Farag Axis, using tear gas extensively and throwing stones at homes and people in the streets, leading to dozens of cases of suffocation and physical injuries—including children and the elderly—as well as the arrest of several residents.
Warraq Island’s Transformation: From Community to Investment Hub
The crisis between Warraq Island residents and the government dates back to the summer of 2017, when security forces suddenly surrounded the area and began evacuating and demolishing homes, sparking violent clashes that left one person dead from live ammunition and caused injuries among both residents and police officers.
In late July 2023, Egypt’s State Information Service—an official institution—published photos of what it called the “Horus City,” reportedly established in place of what was formerly Warraq Island.
The agency revealed plans to transform the island into an investment zone, commenting: “Yes. A city and a global commercial center on Egyptian land, comparable to the world’s top trade hubs.”
The island spans 1,516 feddans (approximately 6.36 square kilometers), and the project’s implementation cost is estimated at 17.5 billion EGP.
According to the agency’s data, the total projected revenues are 122.54 billion EGP, with an annual income of around 20.422 billion EGP for 25 years.
The project includes eight investment zones, a commercial area, premium housing, a central park, green spaces, two marinas, a tourist riverfront, a cultural area, a tourist promenade, and investment housing.
Previously, the UAE-based RSP Real Estate Engineering Office revealed an investment plan for the Warraq Island project dating back to 2013, considering it a model for future development in Cairo due to its exceptional location on the Nile, connecting the new city with the historical capital.
The project aims to turn the island into a financial services district after evacuating its residents, similar to Manhattan Island in New York City.
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