2013 Egyptian coup d'état

2013 Egyptian coup d'état
H. Elrasam for VOA · Public domain · source
Conflict	2013 Egyptian coup d'état
Date	3 July 2013
Place	Egypt
Combatant1	Mohamed Morsi
Combatant2	Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Result	Removal of President Mohamed Morsi from office; installation of interim government under Adly Mansour

2013 Egyptian coup d'état

The 2013 Egyptian coup d'état removed President Mohamed Morsi from office and installed an interim administration led by Adly Mansour. The removal followed mass protests in Cairo and other cities, intervention by the Egyptian Armed Forces under defense minister Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and a sequence of political maneuvers involving parties, movements, and institutions including the Muslim Brotherhood, Freedom and Justice Party (Egypt), and the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt.

Background

In the aftermath of the 2011 Egyptian revolution, power transitioned from the Hosni Mubarak era through the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to an elected administration led by Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Tensions escalated between Morsi and actors such as the Egyptian Armed Forces, the Judiciary of Egypt, the National Democratic Party (Egypt), and civil society movements like the National Salvation Front and Tamarod. Economic challenges intensified under pressures from the International Monetary Fund, tourism declines, and disputes over the Sinai Peninsula security environment. Constitutional contention involved the 2012 Egyptian constitution and rulings by the Supreme Constitutional Court (Egypt), while polarization saw clashes between supporters of the Freedom and Justice Party (Egypt) and opponents including the Salafi Call and liberal coalitions.

Events of 30 June–3 July 2013

Mass demonstrations on 30 June 2013 led by the Tamarod campaign and backed by coalitions including the National Salvation Front converged on Tahrir Square and other urban centers such as Alexandria and Suez. Protesters demanded Morsi’s resignation, citing grievances linked to the Constitution of Egypt (2012), alleged monopolization by the Muslim Brotherhood, and economic hardship exacerbated by policies toward the Suez Canal and energy sectors. On 1 July, clashes between pro-Morsi supporters loyal to the Muslim Brotherhood and opponents produced fatalities in locations including Nasr City and Mohandessin. On 3 July, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced the removal of Morsi, suspended the constitution, and appointed Adly Mansour—then president of the Supreme Constitutional Court (Egypt)—as interim head of state. The Central Security Forces and elements of the Egyptian National Police were deployed, while leaders of the Freedom and Justice Party (Egypt) were detained in the days following.

Political actors and motivations

Key actors included Mohamed Morsi, representing the Muslim Brotherhood and the Freedom and Justice Party (Egypt), who framed his mandate in post-2011 electoral legitimacy. Opposing coalitions involved secular and liberal figures such as Mohamed ElBaradei, Hamdeen Sabbahi, and parties like the Wafd Party within the National Salvation Front. The Egyptian Armed Forces, led by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, invoked concerns over national stability and institutional order, drawing support from business elites, religious actors such as Grand Mufti of Egypt office contacts, and segments of the judiciary. International actors including United States Department of State, European Union, and regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reacted based on strategic interests in security, aid, and counter‑terrorism.

Domestic and international reactions

Domestic reactions were polarized: mass anti-Morsi demonstrations celebrated the military move in many urban centers, while pro-Morsi sit-ins persisted at sites such as Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque and Nahda Square. The Muslim Brotherhood denounced the removal as a coup and called for protests and civil resistance. International responses varied: the United States termed developments "deeply troubling" and reviewed military aid, while the European Union urged restraint. Regional actors diverged — Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates expressed support for stability and provided financial assistance to the interim authorities, whereas Turkey and Qatar criticized the removal and affirmed ties to the Muslim Brotherhood leadership. Human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International raised concerns about arrests and restrictions on assembly.

Legal and constitutional aftermath

The suspension of the Constitution of Egypt (2012) triggered actions by the Constituent Assembly (2012) context and the appointment of Adly Mansour to oversee a roadmap toward a new constitutional process. The interim administration formed a committee to draft amendments leading to the Egyptian constitutional referendum, 2013. The Supreme Constitutional Court (Egypt) and other judicial bodies resumed roles adjudicating legitimacy disputes involving the presidency, parliamentary dissolution, and emergency measures. The Muslim Brotherhood challenged the legality of the removal, while prosecutors pursued cases against leaders from the Freedom and Justice Party (Egypt) and activists from the April 6 Youth Movement and other groups.

Security situation and violence

Following the removal, security operations escalated across urban centers and the Sinai Peninsula. Large-scale dispersals of pro-Morsi sit-ins, notably at Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque, resulted in significant casualties during security crackdowns. Armed confrontations involved the Egyptian Armed Forces, police units, and militant groups including affiliates of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis—which later pledged allegiance to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant—contributing to insurgency in the Sinai insurgency (2011–present). Attacks targeted security checkpoints, pipelines, and infrastructure such as the Suez Canal corridor, provoking states of emergency and counterterrorism campaigns that emphasized forceful measures against perceived Islamist militancy.

Legacy and long-term consequences

The removal reshaped Egyptian politics, ushering in an era dominated by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and allied institutions, a reconfiguration of party politics affecting the Muslim Brotherhood and secular coalitions, and a realignment of regional partnerships with increased support from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The consolidation of security institutions and curtailment of Islamist political participation influenced subsequent elections, human rights assessments by organizations like Freedom House, and relations with Western actors including the United States Department of Defense. The crisis had lasting effects on civil society groups such as the April 6 Youth Movement, the media landscape including outlets like Al Jazeera in the region, and on Egypt’s role in regional issues involving Gaza Strip mediation and the Libya conflict.

Category:2013 in Egypt