Egypt’s ‘Military Coup:’ 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

“No military coup can succeed against popular resistance without considerable bloodshed.“- President Morsi Aide

According to Egypt’s national security advisor, a military coup is underway in Egypt.  The country has been riddled with violent protests seeking to oust democratically elected President Morsi from power three years short from the completion of his term. Military tanks move through the streets of Egypt’s as both pro and anti-Morsi demonstrations rage. The sounds and images are eerily reminiscent of the country’s 2011 revolution which removed Hosni Mubarak from power.

Morsi’s rule has been plagued with a troubled economy and a dangerously polarized population. In a live press conference, the defense minster has since offered a new political roadmap that will “end division.” This military coup has been defined as a coup with “a transition.” Here is what you need to know about Egypt’s political turmoil and what it means for the country’s young democracy:

1. This is a Response to a Military Ultimatum

Egyptian army helicopters fly over as hundreds of thousands of Egyptian demonstrators gather outside the presidential palace in Cairo (Getty Images)

The military ultimatum given to President Mohamed Morsi hit its deadline at 4pm local time.  Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets. Morsi previously rejected the deadline, which gave him 48 hours to meet the demands of the people before facing army intervention. Just before the afternoon deadline imposed by the military expired, Morsi again rejected army intervention. The leader said that abiding by his electoral legitimacy was the only way to prevent violence. Now armored vehicles have been displaced all over Cairo.

A Top Morsi Advisor Posted his “Last Lines” on Facebook

For Immediate Release, July 3, 2013 As I write these lines I am fully aware that these may be the last lines I get to post on this page. For the sake of Egypt and for historical accuracy, let’s call what is happening by its real name: Military coup. It has been two and a half years after a popular revolution against a dictatorship that had strangled and drained Egypt for 30 years. That revolution restored a sense of hope and fired up Egyptians’ dreams of a future in which they could claim for themselves the same dignity that is every human being’s birthright.

2. Morsi is No Longer in Power

President Morsi

According to local news, Mohammed Mursi is no longer in power. Other sources claim that the Egyptian army told Morsi that he was no longer president at 7pm. Witnesses say Egyptian army has erected barbed wire and barriers around barracks where Morsi is believed to be.

Meanwhile, tanks are reaching Tahrir Square. There has also been a travel ban issued on Morsi and his advisors.

3. Pro-Morsi and Anti-Morsi Demonstrations are Raging in Egypt

Evidence of a divided country seeths on the streets as pro-Morsi and anti-Morsi demonstrations fester.

Pro-government demonstrators have set counter-demonstration against the coup. According to RT, they say the “will defend the leader with all means available.” Meanwhile, military vehicles have been sent to pro Morsi rallies, allegedly to break these demonstrations apart. More and more anti-Morsi protesters are flooding to Tahrir square.

4. Army Says Chief of Justice Will Run Country Until Election of New President

A red flare lights up the crowd outside the presidential palace during protests in Cairo, (Getty Images)

In a live press statement, Defense Minister Fattah al Sissi stated that ‘Head of constitutional court’ will run the country until elections are held. He also reiterated that they will not tolerate any violence from any demonstration and that people have the right to peaceful protests.

5. Constitution is Suspended and Army Has Called for Early Elections

Egypts military has suspected its constitution and has called for early elections expected to be held in the coming weeks. Egypt’s constitution was signed into law by Morsi in 2012 after it was approved by the Constituent Assembly. It passed with 64% support. It replaced the 2011 Provisional Constitution adopted after Egypt’s revolution.

Before being ousted. Mohamed Morsi had proposed a consensus government as “a way out of the country’s crisis”, reports Aljazeera. “The presidency envisions the formation of a consensus coalition government to oversee the next parliamentary election,” his office said on social media outlets.