Mohamed Qobtan, a demonstrator who was at the protest that was attacked overnight, told Reuters:

During our sit-in at around 11:30 at night, it [the attack] started and in a very apparent manner, some people recognised as thugs came at us with firearms, explosives, and shotguns and we were able to get hold of some of the bullets and automatic rounds."

Abdel Rahman Ezz, another demonstrator, said:

We are here staging a peaceful sit-in, continuing our revolution, conveying our demands. Unfortunately, we saw the thugs that they (the military) let loose on us, who attacked people and gave people very grave injuries. There has been news of deaths but we will continue and they will not terrorise us. This is a new battle which we will continue and if they don't respond we will escalate our efforts."