You're reading: Egyptians rally again after days of deadly clashes

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptians are gathering in Cairo's Tahrir Square to demand the country's military rulers step down and to denounce the recent violence by troops against protesters, particularly the beatings of women.

The rally comes after the latest bout of deadly clashes near Tahrir between protesters and the military, which took over after Hosni Mubarak’s ouster in February. Seventeen people were killed in the past week.

The deaths and the army’s aggression — particularly the beatings of women — have enraged activists, who blame the military for mismanaging Egypt’s transition.

Friday’s rally is backed by two dozen groups but not by the Muslim Brotherhood — Egypt’s most organized group and the biggest winner thus far in staggered parliamentary elections.