- NEW: Health ministry says no civilians were killed
- Both sides claim fatalities
- The raids target both camps
Cairo (CNN) -- Egyptian security forces moved in on two massive makeshift camps that supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsy had set up, bulldozing tents, lobbing tear gas, and escorting away protesters Wednesday morning.
The Muslim Brotherhood said 200 Morsy supporters were killed and more than 8,000 injured.
The government claimed casualties on its side as well. State-run Nile TV said two security officials were killed and six injured.
When reached, the health ministry disputed the Muslim Brotherhood claim. It said 26 civilians were hurt -- and none killed.
In the chaos of the raid, it was impossible for CNN to verify the claims and counter claims.
'Full-on assault'
Supporters of the deposed Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsy, walk past makeshift roadblocks at Rabaa al-Adawiya square in Cairo on Saturday, August 3. Security forces set up the roadblocks outside the square, allowing people to leave but not enter, as they attempt to break up camps set up during ongoing protests over Morsy's ouster. 
A bus passes a destroyed pickup truck with loudspeakers that was used by Morsy supporters on Friday, August 2. The supporters and security forces clashed in Sixth of October City in Giza, south of Cairo, after the government ordered their protest camps broken up. 
Morsy supporters run among the smoke and fire resulting from clashes with security forces in Sixth of October City in Giza on August 2. 
Egyptian riot police block the entrance to Sixth of October City in Giza on August 2 following clashes with Morsy supporters. 
Morsy supporters in red helmets march during a protest against the government in Cairo on August 2. Pro-Morsy marches began after Friday prayers, when supporters made their way back to their camp outside the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque. 
Mosry supporters march in a demonstration against the Egyptian government in Cairo on August 2. 
Morsy supporters participated in an open sit-in outside Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque on August 1. 
A Morsy supporter keeps watch behind a barricade durin a sit-in outside Rabba al-Adawiya mosque in Cairo on August 1. 
Supporters of Egypt's deposed President Mohammed Morsy gather for prayers at Nasr City, where protesters have installed a camp and hold daily rallies, in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday, July 28, 2013. The military ousted Morsy, Egypt's first democratically elected president, in early July after days of mass demonstrations. Dozens of Morsy backers angry at Egypt's military-backed government have died in weekend violence in the volatile nation's capital. See photos of protests that have engulfed the country. 
A boy wears a tear gas mask as supporters of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsy pray at the camp set up by supporters in the Nasr City area of Cairo on July 28. 
Doctors treat an injured supporter of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy during clashes with security forces in Cairo on Saturday, July 27. 
A wounded Morsy supporter lies on the floor of a field hospital in Cairo on July 27. Thousands of Morsy supporters gathered Saturday in the Nasr City neighborhood despite dozens of deaths the night before and veiled threats from the military. 
Supporters of Morsy protest outside a field hospital in Cairo where the bodies of slain Morsy supporters have been brought July 27. 
The body of a Muslim Brotherhood protester, reportedly shot dead after violence erupted the night before, is moved as mourners watch inside a field hospital in Cairo on July 27. 
Two men mourn Morsy supporters who were killed in overnight clashes with security forces, in Cairo, on July 27. 
A medic pauses at a field hospital in Cairo on July 27 after tending to the bodies of Morsy supporters reportedly killed in fighting. 
Supporters of Morsy carry an injured man to a field hospital amid clashes with security forces in Cairo on July 27. 
Doctors treat a Morsy supporter injured during clashes with security forces in Cairo on July 27. 
Supporters of Morsy rally in Giza, on Friday, July 26. 
Supporters of the Egyptian military rally at Tahrir Square in Cairo on Friday, July 26. 
Morsy opponents rally in Cairo on July 26. 
Morsy opponents watch a demonstration from a rooftop near Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 26. 
Egyptian soldiers stand guard atop an armored vehicle on a bridge leading to Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday, July 26. 
A Morsy advocate builds a giant portrait of the deposed president Thursday, July 25, while other supporters hold a sit-in outside a Cairo mosque. The military has detained Morsy while an interim government takes shape. 
Morsy supporters say evening prayers during a rally July 25 outside a Cairo mosque. 
A man with a pistol and other Morsy opponents detain a suspected Morsy supporter who was wounded during clashes in Cairo on Monday, July 22. Supporters and opponents clashed near the city's Tahrir Square. 
Men evacuate an injured opponent of Morsy during clashes with his supporters in Cairo on July 22. 
A man fires a gun during clashes between opponents and supporters of Morsy in Cairo on July 22. 
A riot police officer aims rubber bullets toward Morsy supporters in Cairo on July 22. 
Riot police evacuate an injured anti-Morsy protester in Cairo on July 22. 
A Morsy supporter, center, who was allegedly beaten by opponents of Morsy runs during clashes in Cairo on July 22. 
A Morsy opponent carries his injured friend in Cairo on July 22. 
Supporters of Morsy pause for Friday prayers on July 19 at Nasr City in Cairo, where protesters have installed their camp and held daily rallies. 
Morsy supporters take part in a protest march near government ministry buildings on Wednesday, July 17, in Cairo. 
A Morsy supporter is held back by riot police during a rally near Tahrir Square on July 17. 
A supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood and of Morsy covers his mouth under the 6th October Bridge in Cairo on Tuesday, July 16. 
A riot police officer fires tear gas toward Morsy supporters during clashes in Cairo on Monday, July 15. 
Morsy supporters run from tear gas in Cairo on July 15. 
Egyptians in Cairo's Tahrir Square pray before breaking their fast on the third day of Ramadan, the sacred holy month for Muslims, on Friday, July 12. 
Supporters of the deposed Morsy rally in Nasr City, Egypt, a suburb of Cairo, on Monday, July 8. 
A man reacts after seeing the body of a family member at the Liltaqmeen al-Sahy Hospital in Cairo, allegedly killed during a sit-in supporting Morsy in front of the Republican Guard headquarters on July 8. 
Injured men receive medical attention after clashes between supporters of Morsy and security forces in Cairo on July 8. 
Opponents of Mohamed Morsy gather at Tahrir Square during a protest in Cairo on Sunday, July 7. 
Supporters of Morsy pray next to the headquarters of the Republican Guards in Cairo on Saturday, July 6, during the funeral of seven people killed during clashes. 
People carry coffins on July 6 of two Morsy opponents who were killed during clashes in Cairo. 
A Morsy supporter joins protests near the University of Cairo in Giza on July 6. 
Supporters and opponents of Morsy clash in Cairo on Friday, July 5. 
A protester is attended to in Cairo's Tahrir Square during fighting between the pro- and anti-Morsy crowds on July 5. 
An Egyptian military helicopter hovers over supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and deposed President Mohamed Morsy in Cairo on July 5. 
Morsy supporters hold up their bloodstained hands after Egypt's armed forces opened fire on rally in front of the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo on July 5. 
Morsy supporters carry a man who was shot during clashes next to the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo on July 5. State broadcaster Nile TV said a number of those backing the deposed leader were wounded as they tried to storm the headquarters, where Morsy reportedly was being held. 
A wounded man is helped following the gun battle outside the headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5. 
Egyptians hold portraits of Gen. Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi reading "Come down, Sisi" as they gather in Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on July 5. 
Morsy supporters react to an explosion during clashes with police officers on July 5 outside Cairo University in Giza. 
Egyptian Army soldiers stand guard at the Cairo headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5 as an Apache attack helicopter flies overhead. 
Morsy supporters pray near the University of Cairo in Giza on July 5. 
A man prays on July 5 before the protest near the University of Cairo. 
Protesters take cover from tear gas during clashes outside the headquarters of the Republican Guard in Cairo on July 5. 
A military helicopter flies by Egypt's Presidential Palace in Cairo on July 5. 
Egyptians watch fireworks in Tahrir Square on Thursday, July 4, the day after Morsy's ouster. 
People dance and cheer in the streets of Cairo on July 4. 
A Morsy supporter holds a poster of the deposed president during a July 4 rally in Nasr City. 
A massive crowd gathers in Tahrir Square on July 4. 
Egyptians cheer and wave national flags as airplanes fly above Tahrir Square on July 4, leaving a trail of smoke in the colors of the national flag. 
A woman uses a mobile phone to record the July 4 celebrations in Tahrir Square. 
An opposition protester chants slogans against Morsy near Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters gathered on July 4 to show support for the ousted president. 
A man holds a newspaper near Mesaha Square in Cairo on July 4. 
Dejected Morsy supporters attend a rally in Nasr City on July 4. 
A Morsy supporter shows his bloodied shirt during a July 4 rally near the University of Cairo. 
A young Egyptian boy shoots off fireworks during celebrations in Tahrir Square on July 4. 
People walk by a pile of Egyptian flags for sale in Tahrir Square on July 4. 
Crowds throng Tahrir Square on July 4. 
Egyptian soldiers deploy near Cairo University on July 4. 
People dance and cheer at Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 4. 
Adly Mansour, center, stands after delivering a speech during his swearing-in ceremony as Egypt's interim president in the Supreme Constitutional Court in Cairo on July 4. Mansour has served as the head of the country's Supreme Constitutional Court. 
Armored vehicles with the Egyptian army sit at a checkpoint in the Cairo district of Nasr City on July 4. 
A Morsy supporter reacts as a military helicopter flies over during a July 4 rally in Nasr City. 
A boy with face paint the color of the Egyptian flag pauses on July 4 in Tahrir Square. 
A pedestrian shakes hands with a member of the military at a roadblock in Giza. 
Security personnel rest on July 4 in Tahrir Square. 
A man walks to Tahrir Square on July 4. 
A family sleeps on a bridge near Tahrir Square on July 4. 
A member of the Egyptian military redirects traffic on July 4 at a roadblock in Giza. 
Bread is sold near Tahrir Square on July 4. 
An Egyptian military member guards a roadblock in Giza on July 4. 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
Photos: Unrest in Egypt 
Clashes continue in Egypt 
Morsy supporters rally despite threat 
Tensions rising in Egypt The raids began shortly after 6 a.m. (12 a.m. ET) at the two camps: one near the Rabaah al-Adawiya mosque in eastern Cairo, and a smaller one at the Nahda camp, near the Cairo University campus.
By 8:45 a.m., the interior ministry said the smaller camp had been cleared of demonstrators. All that remained were remnants of torn-down tents.
Hassan Al Qabana, who works at the media center set up at the Rabaa camp, said the location was facing a "full-on assault" and the wounded were streaming in.
Police in riot gear were out in full force, escorting away men. The interior ministry put the number at more than 35, and said they were caught with weapons and ammunitions in the Rabaa camp.
A fire burned in the distance, sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky.
Mothers and fathers whisked away children, gas masks on their faces.
A group of protesters tried unsuccessfully to overturn a police van.
Protests leaders stood on a stage, microphone in hand. Throngs of supporters raised their hands in a peace sign, or waved Egypt's flag.
The Muslim Brotherhood police were throwing Molotov cocktails at the clinics inside the camps.
The interior ministry said security forces did not use gunfire and instead were attacked by "terrorist elements" inside the camps.
"Egyptian security forces are committed to the utmost self-restraint in dealing with the protesters," the ministry said.
Cities within a city
For six chaotic weeks, Morsy supporters had massed at the two camps -- refusing to budge until Morsy was reinstated, and morphing the locations into cities within a city.
They lived and slept in tents.
Vendors sold everything from bottled water to masks. Children played in inflatable castles and splashed in kiddie pools.
The government have accused the protesters of packing the sites with their children to use them as human shields.
The raid Wednesday was not unexpected.
Since the Muslim holy month of Ramadan ended last week, the protesters had hunkered down and waited for the crackdown that the government had long hinted at.
They fortified their sites with sandbags, tires and stacks of bricks.
A deadly toll
The protests started soon after Egypt's military toppled Morsy in a coup last month.
Hundreds have been killed and thousands have been injured in recent weeks, either in clashes between opposing protesters or in clashes between protesters and Egyptian security forces.
Last month, Information Minister Durriya Sharaf el-Din said the gatherings were a threat to national security and traffic congestion.
And two weeks ago, Mansour issued orders in the event of a possible "state of emergency," the EGYnews website reported.
"State of emergency" is a loaded term in Egypt. Former President Hosni Mubarak ruled for 30 years under an emergency decree that barred unauthorized assembly, restricted freedom of speech and allowed police to jail people indefinitely.
Morsy's fall
Morsy became Egypt's first democratically elected president in 2012, a year after popular protests forced Mubarak to resign and end his three-decade rule.
But a year into Morsy's term, many Egyptians wanted him out, too. They said the Western-educated Islamist, aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood movement, was not inclusive and they said he had failed to deliver on the people's aspirations for freedom and social justice.
Morsy was accused of authoritarianism and trying to force the Brotherhood's Islamic agenda onto the nation's laws. He was also criticized by many Egyptians frustrated with rampant crime and a struggling economy that hadn't shown improvement since Mubarak resigned.
But supporters say Morsy repeatedly offered Cabinet positions to secularists and liberals -- only to get repeatedly rejected.
Since taking power from Morsy, Egypt's military has installed an interim civilian government with Mansour as interim president.
But Egypt's generals, the ones who oversaw Morsy's ouster and led the country for a year after Mubarak's resignation, still wield significant power.
The list of accusations against Morsy include: collaborating with the militant group Hamas to carry out hostile acts, attacking law enforcement buildings, officers and soldiers, storming prisons, vandalizing buildings and deliberately burning a prison.
He hasn't been seen since his ouster.
CNN's Reza Sayah reported from Cairo and Saad Abedine from Atlanta; Holly Yan wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz in Cairo also contributed.
