How did the 2011 uprising force Hosni Mubarak from office?

The 2011 uprising, often called the January 25 Revolution, forced Hosni Mubarak from office primarily by eroding his essential support from the Egyptian military.12

The process unfolded through several key developments:

• Mass Mobilization: Inspired by the revolution in Tunisia, young Egyptians organized massive, nationwide protests via social media to demand an end to corruption, political repression, and poverty.123
• Failure of Concessions: Mubarak’s attempts to quell the unrest—including appointing a vice president, promising reforms, and pledging not to run for reelection—were rejected by protesters who demanded his immediate resignation.23
• Loss of Military Backing: A critical turning point occurred when the military, which had been deployed to maintain order, refused to use force against the demonstrators. By publicly signaling that it would not suppress the uprising, the military effectively withdrew its support for the regime.12
• Resignation: Facing sustained pressure from weeks of mass demonstrations, Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011, and ceded power to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.123