Pro Murabak goons have overtaken three tanks

[malaise]

Here comes chaos

[Javaman]

1. When Murabak stated that he wanted to die on Egyptian soil.

I knew then and there that this whole thing won't end well.

[tekisui]

2. Shit! They are taking military vehicles?!?!

This is going to get nasty.

[blindpig]

6. My guess...

The army has been withdrawn for fear they would mutiny and/or turn on the pro Mubarak thugs. Conscript based units have probably been sent back to their barracks while more 'reliable' elite units have been put in place to facilitate the operations of government forces, and possibly join them as necessary.

One definite outcome will be a lose of faith in the military by the masses which we saw so evident. Win or lose this will further radicalize the people.

[NNN0LHI]

3. How does one go about "overtaking", a tank?

I think they have hatches on them that can only be opened from the inside by the crew.

Don

[tekisui]

5. Watching the AJE images, if that is what is being referred to, they aren't

actually tanks, but military trucks. At least that is the best I can tell.

[happyslug]

15. If the tank crew is properly train, the Commander of the tank sits in his open hatch

Button up in a tank restricts one's vision, so every army wants its tank commanders to sit up and out of the commander's hatch so to guide the tank where he wants the tank to go. Thus, unless taking artillery fire, the tank has open hatches.

I suspect the pro-government rioters approached the tank, the commander kept his hatch open and he stood in the hatch and the rioters just climbs aboard as the Commander told them to get off (Such warning worked for the anti-government protesters, they did not want the tank). Anyway, the rioters wanted the tank and attacked the commander before he could shut his hatch, pulled him out and then entered the tank and pulled every other member (Most of whom did NOT want bloodshed, so turned the tank over rather then kill someone).

Not that significant, tanks are maintenance headaches, without the ability to re-fuel, re-arm and repair the tank (Mostly the tracks) it is useless after about 2-3 hours. More a symoblic victory (and why the anti-Government Protesters did NOT do it).

[sufrommich]

4. This is so sad to watch. This is the Mubarak government trying

to create enough violence to cause the Army to shut down protests.Peaceful protests shut down by violent thugs. It makes me feel sick.

[alsame]

7. This is what he threatened to do last night in his speech - it seems

the thugs are repeating much of what he said about protesters destroying Egypt, etc.

[sufrommich]

8. I'm just sickened. Speechless. nt

[alsame]

11. I'm waiting for some strong words of condemnation from

the WH and other world leaders. This is disgusting.

[Bragi]

13. Me too, but I'm not optimistic

Mubarak and his regime had to be emboldened by Obama's refusal last night to explicitly back the protesters demand that Mubarak leave now, not after the elections in September.

If Obama had made it clear last night that he supports the demand for Mubarak to leave now -- not nine months from now -- then I think Egyptians would be celebrating his departure today, not fighting police thugs.

And it isn't too late now for Obama to speak up today and, in light of the violence, demand Mubarak's immediate departure (as per John Kerry yesterday.)

At any rate, I hope this police riot is Mubarak's last unsuccessful shot at staying in power, and that he will finally be gone by Friday, when the next big "day of rage" is supposed to happen.

[sufrommich]

14. It better come soon. nt

[deutsey]

9. Things are spiraling into chaos at the moment

:evilfrown:

[NoPasaran]

10. A Revolution is not a tea party.

As someone once said.

[blindpig]

12. Chairman Mao. n/t