Al-Warraq Island, located in Giza Governorate, witnessed renewed tensions and clashes this Saturday morning between residents and Egyptian security forces, amid a continued blockade of the Nile ferry connecting the island to Shubra El-Kheima. The clashes come within a broader context of escalating disputes between the state and island residents, following a ban imposed by security forces on the entry of construction materials. Locals view the measure as a further attempt to tighten the noose on the community, pressuring them toward forced displacement and the sale of their properties in favor of investment projects.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Zawia3 from within the island—and videos circulated by citizens on social media—security forces used tear gas canisters and rubber pellets to disperse residents protesting the ban on building supplies and the continued seizure of the ferry for the second consecutive day. The clashes reportedly left dozens of residents injured—around 50 individuals according to eyewitnesses—some with serious wounds, sparking a wave of growing anger and resentment among the island’s inhabitants.
In exclusive statements to Zawia3, eyewitnesses from Al-Warraq Island confirmed that tensions erupted early in the morning and escalated quickly. The events began when a group of young men gathered at a café near a police checkpoint on the island, awaiting the release of several detainees who had previously been involved in an altercation with the police. According to the witnesses, the youth were calmly drinking coffee when a police officer entered to buy a cup and began conversing with them.
Eyewitnesses reported that the conversation escalated into a verbal altercation, culminating in a physical confrontation after the officer struck one of the young men. They also noted that today saw the arrest of five individuals from inside their homes, in addition to four others who were detained while walking in the street.
A resident of the island, speaking anonymously, told us that the situation had escalated significantly since the morning. He confirmed that chaos and clashes were ongoing and stressed that security forces had used live ammunition to disperse demonstrators. He also shared exclusive images with us of a 16-year-old youth who was shot in both legs with live bullets—an injury that will reportedly result in the amputation of his feet.
Investment: The Hidden Agenda
Yasser Saad, a lawyer specialized in economic and social rights, considers Al-Warraq Island one of the most prominent fronts of social resistance in Egypt today. He explains that the working-class population of Al-Warraq—through their grassroots organization—now stands at the frontline against state policies, especially under the near-total crackdown on organized political activity and civil society at large.
Speaking to Zawia3, Saad highlights the significant shrinking of legal and human rights spaces in Egypt, noting that such movements have become rare, if not entirely absent, in recent years. “It is increasingly uncommon to find anyone pursuing legal or judicial action against the state,” he says, “especially since the Tiran and Sanafir case, which marked a turning point in the relationship between the state and society.”
Saad continues: “Al-Warraq, with its unique geographic and social structure—being more like an isolated island—has nurtured the formation of a key grassroots body, the ‘Al-Warraq Families Council,’ which has spent years defending residents’ rights and property against state-driven displacement and marginalization. The council began by resisting financial inducements—offers to buy out homes—only to face more coercive tactics, including demolition orders and claims of urban development.”
He adds: “What cannot be ignored is that Al-Warraq is being directly targeted for economic and investment reasons. There is growing evidence suggesting that investors—both Egyptian and foreign—are interested in acquiring land in the area. This aligns with the state’s behavior and its escalating pressure on residents, which has surpassed standard bureaucratic procedures in other governorates and taken the form of violent and targeted campaigns, at times resembling military operations.”
Saad explains that this escalation—from siege to assault—can only be understood within a broader plan to evacuate the area and repurpose it for investment. These repeated policies are deepening the rift of distrust between citizens and the state and eroding faith in the country’s constitutional and legal institutions.
Al-Warraq Island is one of the largest Nile islands in Egypt, home to more than 90,000 people. Since 2017, the state has been locked in legal and social battles with the island’s residents as part of a plan to convert the area into an investment zone under the “Nile Front Development” project. Many locals reject the project, insisting on their right to housing and land ownership. The State Council has previously issued rulings in favor of several residents, yet the crisis remains unresolved due to what locals see as the absence of genuine compromise and the state’s continued enforcement of its will through security pressure.
Security Response Creates a Ticking Time Bomb
Talaat Khalil—General Coordinator of the Civil Movement and a member of the Presidential Council of the Conservative Party—describes the government’s heavy-handed approach to forcibly evict residents from their homes as entirely unacceptable. He affirms that the state is applying pressure through all possible means, even while legal issues such as housing rights remain ignored.
Speaking to Zawia3, Khalil said: “The government has long been using forceful tactics against Al-Warraq’s residents, and today’s escalation is yet another unjustified move by the state and its security forces. This type of response will lead only to negative outcomes and will not provide any viable solutions. We oppose all forms of violence against citizens. The government must handle this issue differently and seek long-term resolutions to the crisis.”
He added: “The state is relying on brute force to deal with citizens, a strategy that increases the likelihood of clashes and injuries among the public. We warn against the repetition of such practices and stress the urgent need for effective solutions to the problems facing the residents of Al-Warraq Island. Continuous pressure through illegal and inhumane means will yield only disastrous consequences.”
Yasser Saad echoed this sentiment in his remarks to us, warning that the continuation of this approach could push citizens to seek alternative forms of resistance and self-defense, potentially leading to deeper social crises. He emphasized that a wide segment of the island’s residents feel that what is happening constitutes a complete crime that demands accountability—not just at the local administrative level, but at the highest tiers of political responsibility, starting with the President of the Republic, the Giza Governor, and the heads of the development-related authorities.
He added: “What is unfolding in Al-Warraq is a real battle on the ground, and civil society in all its forms and institutions must recognize that this is a decisive moment requiring maximum solidarity. We are witnessing violations that demand urgent action—whether through legal aid, media pressure, or appealing to international institutions to halt these abusive policies.”
He concluded: “The people of Al-Warraq are fighting for survival, but they are a minority facing a massive force. Despite the courage of the Families Council, it cannot stand alone—especially given that some of its members have been co-opted by state interests. Everyone who believes in social justice and the right to decent housing and dignified living must support Al-Warraq and its people by every possible means. If silence persists, the island is headed toward a perilous fate. I hope Al-Warraq triumphs in this unequal struggle, but that will require immediate, unified action from all rights-based and civil actors.”
What Are the Roots of the Crisis?
Al-Warraq Island spans approximately 1,400 feddans and lies between the districts of Imbaba and Shubra El-Kheima. Its population is estimated at around 90,000, according to unofficial figures. Residents are organized into extended families who have inherited the land for generations, with most working in agriculture, river transport, or small-scale trade. For decades, the island attracted little government attention—until the past twenty years, when state plans emerged to convert Nile islands into investment zones.
The crisis dates back to 1998, when a decree declared Al-Warraq a natural protectorate, sparking suspicion among residents about the government’s intention to evacuate the island. A subsequent 2001 decision by the Prime Minister placed the island under the Public Property Law. Since then, legal disputes between residents and the state have persisted. In 2017, the conflict escalated when security forces attempted to enforce demolition orders based on claims that the land belonged to the state. These attempts were met with widespread resistance, during which one resident died from injuries sustained during clashes.
Since that point, Al-Warraq has been under heavy security surveillance, and gradual eviction efforts have intensified. Demolition orders were issued, government services were halted, and the entry of construction materials to the island was restricted. Simultaneously, development maps began circulating, depicting the island as the site of a future investment hub named “Horus City.” These developments solidified residents’ fears that the ultimate goal was to turn the island into a high-end real estate project.
In 2002, residents won a court ruling affirming their ownership rights over the land. In 2010, the government redrew the administrative boundaries of five governorates—including Giza, which now encompassed Al-Warraq—and announced plans to develop the island. However, following the 2011 ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak, the issue calmed for several years.
The government maintains that most of the island’s land falls under public property and that residents lack sufficient legal ownership documentation. In reality, many residents hold notarized sales contracts dating back to the 1940s, in addition to customary deeds and registered contracts. This has created a legally complex dispute over the nature of ownership.
Authorities, on the other hand, cite Law No. 7 of 1991 on state-owned private property and Law No. 144 of 2017 concerning land legalization. These laws, according to observers, provide the legal basis for forced evictions if residents fail to legalize their status under state procedures. However, residents argue that these laws overlook the island’s unique status as a permanent home for deeply rooted families.
Proposed Government Projects
According to maps published by the Armed Forces Engineering Authority, the Al-Warraq Island development project includes establishing a large investment zone called “Horus City.” It will feature residential towers, hotels, and a business district. The government has announced that these projects will create job opportunities and generate investment income for the state. However, it has not clearly outlined plans for resettling the island’s original residents. According to the State Information Service, the project aims to transform the island into a global commercial hub spanning 1,516 feddans, with a total investment cost of 17.5 billion pounds ($350 million).
The plan includes the construction of eight investment districts, a commercial zone, upscale residential areas, a central park, green spaces, tourist marinas, a riverside promenade, a cultural area, and a recreational corniche.
In 2021, jurisdiction over the island was transferred to the New Urban Communities Authority, which began purchasing land from residents at prices ranging between 6,000 and 12,000 pounds per square meter ($120–$240). Prior to that, the Engineering Authority had completed construction of a corniche on the island’s western bank. These measures indicate the state’s steady progression toward comprehensive redevelopment of the island—without a clear plan for involving its residents.
Since July 2017, island residents have organized sporadic protests demanding their right to remain and live in peace. Popular committees were formed to defend the island, and the hashtag #AlWarraqIsNotForSale (#الوراق_مش_للبيع) began trending on social media. Residents have refused to leave their homes or accept the proposed compensations, which they consider far below the land’s real value.
In September 2024, security forces banned the entry of construction materials onto the island via ferries, causing massive congestion and public outrage. Human rights organizations such as the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms documented several violations against residents, including arbitrary arrests and the excessive use of force.
On the official side, the Giza Governor and officials from the Ministry of Housing have stated that the Al-Warraq development project is part of a national plan to redevelop Nile islands. The government claims it is committed to offering alternative housing and fair compensation, and denies seeking forced displacement. However, the lack of transparency around compensation details and the exclusion of residents from decision-making processes have only deepened tensions.
In November 2024, the Cabinet issued a statement affirming that “the state does not seize anyone’s property, but merely enforces the law against violators.” Nevertheless, local and international human rights organizations—such as the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies—have cast doubt on the state’s commitment to international standards for voluntary resettlement.
