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Anti-Lockdown Protests Turn Violent in Lebanon

Published January 30th, 2021 - 08:23 GMT

People in Lebanon torch rubbish and smashing surveillance cameras as rage grows over the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tripoli has seen four days of clashes between security forces and residents outraged by curfew measures they say are destroying their livelihoods.

The pandemic has added to the misery of Lebanon's worst financial downturn since the 1975-1990 civil war and stoked simmering anger against a political class seen as corrupt and incompetent.

That rage spilled onto Tripoli's streets on Monday, and on Thursday the violence claimed its first victim -- Omar Tayba, who had sustained a bullet wound during the previous night's clashes.

Tensions have steadily escalated in Tripoli since Monday and security forces have deployed reinforcements across the city.

Protesters on Wednesday night lobbed stones, fireworks, and molotov cocktails at security forces who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, in clashes which left 200 people wounded.

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A boy gestures as Lebanese anti-government protesters confront security forces while going around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown e

A boy gestures as Lebanese anti-government protesters confront security forces while going around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to stem a surge in Covid-19 cases and prevent its hospitals from being overwhelmed. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A young boy walks past a mural painting with writing in Arabic that reads "we are tired" near Al-Nour square in the northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A young boy walks past a mural painting with writing in Arabic that reads "we are tired" near Al-Nour square in the northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A picture taken on January 29, 2021 shows armoured personnel carriers parked under a mural in Al-Nour square in the Lebanese northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protests. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A picture taken on January 29, 2021 shows armoured personnel carriers parked under a mural in Al-Nour square in the Lebanese northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protests. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A woman crosses a street with her child during clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A woman crosses a street with her child during clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP

Lebanese security forces advance during clashes with anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP

Lebanese security forces advance during clashes with anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A Lebanese anti-government protester wears a mask during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this mo

A Lebanese anti-government protester wears a mask during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to stem a surge in Covid-19 cases and prevent its hospitals from being overwhelmed. JOSEPH EID / AFP

Lebanese anti-government protesters burn garbage as they go around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to s

Lebanese anti-government protesters burn garbage as they go around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to stem a surge in Covid-19 cases and prevent its hospitals from being overwhelmed. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A Lebanese anti-government protester waves a national flag during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlie

A Lebanese anti-government protester waves a national flag during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to stem a surge in Covid-19 cases and prevent its hospitals from being overwhelmed. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A boy gestures as Lebanese anti-government protesters confront security forces while going around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown e
A young boy walks past a mural painting with writing in Arabic that reads "we are tired" near Al-Nour square in the northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A picture taken on January 29, 2021 shows armoured personnel carriers parked under a mural in Al-Nour square in the Lebanese northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protests. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A woman crosses a street with her child during clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
Lebanese security forces advance during clashes with anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A Lebanese anti-government protester wears a mask during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this mo
Lebanese anti-government protesters burn garbage as they go around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to s
A Lebanese anti-government protester waves a national flag during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlie
A boy gestures as Lebanese anti-government protesters confront security forces while going around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown e
A boy gestures as Lebanese anti-government protesters confront security forces while going around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to stem a surge in Covid-19 cases and prevent its hospitals from being overwhelmed. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A young boy walks past a mural painting with writing in Arabic that reads "we are tired" near Al-Nour square in the northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A young boy walks past a mural painting with writing in Arabic that reads "we are tired" near Al-Nour square in the northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A picture taken on January 29, 2021 shows armoured personnel carriers parked under a mural in Al-Nour square in the Lebanese northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protests. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A picture taken on January 29, 2021 shows armoured personnel carriers parked under a mural in Al-Nour square in the Lebanese northern city of Tripoli, following overnight clashes between security forces and anti-government protests. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A woman crosses a street with her child during clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A woman crosses a street with her child during clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
Lebanese security forces advance during clashes with anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
Lebanese security forces advance during clashes with anti-government protesters in the northern city of Tripoli, on January 29, 2021. More than 400 people have been wounded in northern Lebanon this week in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by a coronavirus lockdown they say is starving them. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A Lebanese anti-government protester wears a mask during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this mo
A Lebanese anti-government protester wears a mask during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to stem a surge in Covid-19 cases and prevent its hospitals from being overwhelmed. JOSEPH EID / AFP
Lebanese anti-government protesters burn garbage as they go around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to s
Lebanese anti-government protesters burn garbage as they go around the homes of deputies and government officials in the northern port city of Tripoli to protest the economic situation and their role in leading the country to crisis, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to stem a surge in Covid-19 cases and prevent its hospitals from being overwhelmed. JOSEPH EID / AFP
A Lebanese anti-government protester waves a national flag during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlie
A Lebanese anti-government protester waves a national flag during clashes with security forces in front of the Serail (headquarters of the Governorate), in the northern port city of Tripoli, following a demonstration to protest against the economic situation, on January 28, 2021. Tripoli was already one of Lebanon's poorest areas before the coronavirus pandemic piled new misery onto a chronic economic crisis. Many of its residents have been left without an income since Lebanon imposed a full lockdown earlier this month in a bid to stem a surge in Covid-19 cases and prevent its hospitals from being overwhelmed. JOSEPH EID / AFP

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