Security forces in Egypt initiated a crackdown on demonstrators supporting the ousted President Mohamed Morsi, leading to one of the deadliest days in modern Egyptian history. The protests centered around two main encampments in Cairo—Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda Square—where thousands of Morsi's supporters had camped out, demanding his reinstatement following his removal in July. The situation escalated dramatically when police and military forces moved to disperse these protests on the morning of August 14, resulting in widespread violence and significant loss of life.

Egypt's interim government, largely backed by the military, had labeled the demonstrations as illegal and posed a threat to national security. The government's decision to clear the protest sites came after weeks of tense negotiations with demonstrators had failed, and sentiments were running high on both sides. The crackdown was marked by brutal violence; reports indicated that security forces used live ammunition against the demonstrators, contributing to a death toll that would later be confirmed to be in the hundreds.

In the aftermath of the violence, which included disturbing images and reports of casualties, a state of emergency was declared across the nation and curfews were imposed in major cities. International reactions were immediate, with widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and governments worldwide. The events on this day catalyzed further unrest across Egypt, resulting in ongoing violence and exacerbating a deeply divided political landscape that would continue to affect the country for years to come.