Security forces released Sunday night three Warraq Island residents arrested last Thursday over their alleged “involvement in trading construction materials,” which the government bans from being brought onto the island, two island residents told Al Manassa.
The releases came after dozens of island residents staged a protest that halted two ferries used to transport construction materials to government projects on the island, the two sources, who asked not to be named because of security concerns, said. Residents suspended the protest as negotiations began with the Interior Ministry over several demands.
One source said security forces arrested the three men two days after clashes flared again last Tuesday between police and dozens of island residents near the Al-Qollali ferry crossing.
The confrontation began after residents’ cars were searched for construction materials. The search of women’s clothing bags, prompted objections before the situation escalated into stone-throwing and injuries.
The second source, who helped organize the protest, said residents agreed to end the demonstration in return for negotiations over several demands.
These include ending security restrictions on residents’ movement through the Al-Qollali and Damanhour ferry crossings using metal barriers, allowing construction materials onto the island, providing a state-funded emergency doctor at the hospital residents built themselves, and addressing a sewage crisis worsened by government projects on the island.
Negotiations over those demands are still underway, the second source said, while the two ferries resumed operating after the protest was suspended.
He said Warraq residents built the hospital at their own expense after the government hospital was demolished years ago, along with other government services including the post office, after the state announced plans for luxury real estate projects on the island and the removal of its residents.
In 2018, the Cabinet issued a decree establishing a new urban community on Warraq Island. It was followed by decisions expropriating land for the New Urban Communities Authority to carry out the New Warraq City project, which includes dozens of residential and investment towers as well as commercial and service areas on the island.
In July 2022 the State Information Service rebranded the area as “Horus City,” announcing a redevelopment project requiring 17.5 billion Egyptian pounds (about $350 million) in investment, with projected revenues of 122.54 billion pounds ($2.45 billion) over 25 years. The plan features eight investment zones, luxury housing, commercial districts, a cultural area, green space, and twin riverfront marinas.
But those plans, and the government’s insistence on clearing the island, have fueled persistent tensions between security forces and residents who refuse to leave their homes. Clashes periodically flare as the government restricts construction materials from entering the island, tightens controls on ferry crossings, and detains residents.
