Egypt’s army chief has called for mass protests against “terrorism” after an explosion outside a police building in northern Egypt killed one police conscript and injured 19 officers and civilians – bringing the deathtoll from fighting since the overthrow of Mohamed Morsi to at least 190, according to one estimate.

The overnight bomb attack in Mansoura marked an escalation in the methods used during clashes between Morsi supporters, his opponents and members of state security. In most previous clashes, weaponry has been limited to handguns, shotguns, stones and teargas – so the Mansoura blast raises fears that Egypt’s violence may be entering an even more lethal phase.

A spokesman for Egypt’s interim president called the incident an act of terrorism. The largest coalition of pro-Morsi supporters, headed by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, were quick to distance themselves from the attack – while the Brotherhood even accused state institutions of organising it themselves. But those allied to Morsi’s cause are not controlled by one single group.

Following the attack, General Abdel-Fatah Sisi – the army chief who forced Morsi from power on 3 July – called for millions to protest this Friday.

“I ask … that next Friday all honest and trustworthy Egyptians must come out,” Sisi said in remarks broadcast live by state media. “Why come out? They come out to give me the mandate and order that I confront violence and potential terrorism.”

His speech prompted concerns that the military may be seeking popular legitimacy for a violent crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood. It also added to fears that it is Sisi, rather than the civilian government he installed following Morsi’s overthrow, who has the greatest influence on post-Morsi Egypt.

Click here for the full story.