Warraq residents suspend protests following National Security housing pledges

Representatives of Warraq Island residents said officials managing the island’s file pledged to approve their primary demand for a “house for a house” swap on the island, close pending legal cases against locals, and address urgent living and service demands.

The pledges mark a rare tactical shift by the state to appease years of local resistance on Warraq Island, where government redevelopment plans since 2017 have triggered violent clashes, fears of forced displacement, and security blockades.

According to a statement published by the “We Are Staying on Warraq Island” Facebook page, the commitments followed a meeting last Saturday between a broad delegation of residents and government officials. A community representative told Al Manassa before attending that the meeting was scheduled with National Security Sector officials at Imbaba Police Department.

The statement noted that officials assured attendees that the “house for a house” demand is now an “approved reality.” Arrangements are underway for the Ministry of Housing to issue an official decree allocating land on the island for alternative, fully serviced housing aligned with the master development plan.

Officials also confirmed that newly constructed apartment buildings on the island are reserved exclusively for Warraq residents who want them and will be handed over once contractors complete construction.

Another source among the representatives told Al Manassa that the state agreed to relocate residents from outlying areas to the main residential cluster. They will receive alternative land plots to build replacement homes using modern, planned architectural designs alongside the gradual development of the existing residential area.

Based on these understandings, residents postponed planned protest marches, at least until a community meeting is held to discuss the outcomes, according to the source, who requested anonymity.

However, the meeting did not resolve the ban on bringing building materials onto the island, deferring a decision until development officially begins. The source said officials justified keeping the restriction in place out of concern that residents in outlying areas might build extra floors to claim larger replacement homes during relocation.

The designation of outlying and residential areas stems from an unannounced proposal presented last year by the head of the Warraq City Authority, Osama Shawky. Under the plan, residents would remain in the 300-acre residential core without alterations to their current homes, while state development projects proceed in the surrounding outlying sector, which makes up most of the island’s land.

On the legal and security fronts, the delegation requested the closure of cases linked to past protests on the island. Officials promised to resolve and end the cases, while emphasizing their commitment to “achieving security without terrorizing peaceful residents,” according to the statement.

The source who attended the meeting said local lawyers believe cases brought against dozens of residents years ago for resisting government displacement plans were never formally shelved.

Discussions also addressed ownership disputes involving “ostensible owners” in relation to land title verification and compensation. Officials urged affected residents to submit documentation through the community committee for review.

The statement added that both sides agreed on measures to improve deteriorating local services, including completing inspections to reopen the post office, installing an ATM for salary and pension payouts, assigning a Ministry of Health doctor to a community-built clinic in Zawya, and continuing weekly medical convoys.

The agreement also provides for deploying two vehicles suitable for narrow streets to pump out sewage free of charge and beginning to clear construction and demolition debris.

Restoring these services signals a retreat from previous measures that residents viewed as an enforced blockade, following the demolition of the post office, the shutdown of the youth center, and the destruction of the local hospital.

Still, residents stressed in their statement that all proposals remain verbal government pledges, noting that “the burden of proof lies with officials, pending what coming days show on the ground.”

The “We Are Staying on Warraq Island” page announced that residents plan to hold a general meeting on the island within two weeks to monitor progress and determine their next steps.

The “We Are Staying on Warraq Island” movement announced its formation in mid-August with a founding statement issued by roughly 60 core members following renewed clashes with security forces over access restrictions at the Al-Qollali ferry.