• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Essays
  • Reports and Analysis
New Violence Outbreak in Lebanon

New Violence Outbreak in Lebanon

2:22 PM - 19 October, 2021
The Kremlin and political Islam

The Kremlin and political Islam

2:00 PM - 3 June, 2023
France: Blasphemy and criticism of Islam under scrutiny

France: Blasphemy and criticism of Islam under scrutiny

2:08 PM - 2 June, 2023
The Sultan has won – European thoughts on election night

The Sultan has won – European thoughts on election night

1:43 PM - 1 June, 2023
Appeasement with Assad: Arab “realpolitik” and European doubts

Appeasement with Assad: Arab “realpolitik” and European doubts

10:11 AM - 29 May, 2023
Publications Highlights – May 3

Publications Highlights – May 3

10:16 PM - 28 May, 2023

Why Kilicdaroglu seemed to be the winner of the Turkish Presidential elections and ended up loosing against Erdogan?

2:01 PM - 28 May, 2023
The Hijacked Faith: How Political Islamists Betray the Core Values of Islam

The Hijacked Faith: How Political Islamists Betray the Core Values of Islam

1:42 PM - 28 May, 2023
Türkiye’s political odyssey: Erdogan’s Legacy and the Road Ahead

Türkiye’s political odyssey: Erdogan’s Legacy and the Road Ahead

1:18 PM - 27 May, 2023
eign policy balancing act

Baerbock’s Gulf visit – a foreign policy balancing act

12:50 PM - 26 May, 2023
An Interview with Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar

An Interview with Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar

1:10 PM - 25 May, 2023
Final sprint for Erdogan: The voting deadline for Turks living abroad for the run-off election ends today

Final sprint for Erdogan: The voting deadline for Turks living abroad for the run-off election ends today

3:43 PM - 24 May, 2023
Muslim Brotherhood ideologue back in court

Muslim Brotherhood ideologue back in court

1:37 PM - 23 May, 2023
4:53 PM - 4 June, 2023
  • fr Français
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • ar العربية
  • Login
MENA Reseach and Study Center
No Result
View All Result
MENA Reseach and Study Center
No Result
View All Result
MENA Reseach and Study Center
No Result
View All Result

New Violence Outbreak in Lebanon

2:22 PM - 19 October, 2021
A A
New Violence Outbreak in Lebanon
196
VIEWS

It was “a little civil war,” said a Beirut resident on YouTube, living in the heart of the Lebanese capital known for its cafes and bars. The streets were already swept empty. The army had cordoned off the area, the man himself had quickly fetched the children from school and from then on stayed at home while shots rang out in the surrounding neighborhoods. The scenes that took place in the area for hours on October 14 aroused worry or bad memories for many in the Lebanese capital. Hooded men firing assault rifles and bazookas at houses, people fleeing the fighting in a panic. There were pictures of schoolchildren seeking shelter in the classroom under their desks or in the hallway. There are repeated outbreaks of violence in Lebanon. But what happened last Thursday went way beyond the usual. And the fighting ran in parts along well-known civil war fronts.

Tensions have been increasing for days. Not only that the economic collapse and the accompanying supply crisis are straining people’s nerves. A power struggle is raging over the investigation into the circumstances of the explosion in the port of Beirut. The Iran-supported Hezbollah wants to force the removal of investigating judge Tarek Bitar. Together with the Shiite Amal movement, it had announced a demonstration for Thursday morning. Snipers opened fire on the crowd from rooftops, and at least six people were killed. Numerous videos also showed fighters in typical Hezbollah outfits in action. The Lebanese army cordoned off the area, tried to clear the streets and stormed houses where attackers were suspected. They announced that they would shoot anyone carrying a gun on the spot.

The government, which has only recently been in office and after lengthy negotiations, has tried to demonstrate a determination it lacked in the recent dispute over Bitar’s dismissal. A picture was circulated showing the new Prime Minister Najib Mikati during an emergency meeting with Army Chief Joseph Aoun next to him. Hezbollah and Amal recently successfully sabotaged a cabinet meeting that was supposed to be used to discuss how Lebanon should be saved from collapse. But Hezbollah obviously has other priorities.

“This is a politicized investigation,” said its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a speech. Hezbollah has made it clear to let the new government break up in case of doubt. Their representatives have repeatedly accused Bitar of acting unilaterally – and on behalf of foreign powers. Some observers in Beirut see the sabotage campaign not only as an attempt to smother the investigation entirely, but even consider it possible that Bitar “got too close” to Hezbollah.

Most recently, the leader leader of the Christian “Forces Libanaises” and a bitter enemy of Hezbollah, stated in an interview that the resistance of the Shiite organization made him doubt that it really had nothing to do with the catastrophic port explosiom. He demanded that Mikati should withstand the pressure and let the judiciary do its job. And when he was asked about Hezbollah’s announcement that it would take to the streets while Bitar was in office, he said: “Everyone knows that there is another street behind every street.” The party’s supporters have long been sounding that the armories are for just in case. And part of the battle area belongs to the Beirut empire of warlords from the civil war. Would he really dare to challenge Hezbollah, the strongest military force in the country?

Supporters and representatives on both sides blamed each other for the escalation. Hezbollah and Amal used the bloodshed to fuel their tale of a foreign conspiracy. They called on their people to be prudent. Nevertheless, security experts in Beirut warned against acts of revenge, at the latest when the dead are buried. Hezbollah cannot leave the death of its supporters unanswered, said a Lebanese observer who is well connected to the security forces. For many Beirut residents, there was one other question that preoccupied them: whether the outbreak of violence was just the beginning. In any case, the traffic on the streets leading out of town was very heavy for a Thursday lunchtime last week.

All publishing rights and copyrights reserved to MENA Research and Study Center.

Tags: ExtremismLebanon

Related Posts

German government at odds over law to promote democracy and combat extremism
Europe

German government at odds over law to promote democracy and combat extremism

12:29 PM - 1 April, 2023
820
Spain: The hawala financial system, Iran and Hizollah
Europe

Spain: The hawala financial system, Iran and Hizollah

1:14 PM - 7 February, 2023
827
Erdogan’s election campaigns in Europe: Coalition with the “Gray Wolves”
Extremism

Erdogan’s election campaigns in Europe: Coalition with the “Gray Wolves”

3:03 PM - 2 February, 2023
927
Europe Monitor No. 1 in 2023
Podcast

Europe Monitor No. 2 in 2023

4:56 PM - 25 January, 2023
242
The Iranian Mullah Regime in Europe: From Political Islamism to Terrorism
Extremism

The Iranian Mullah Regime in Europe: From Political Islamism to Terrorism

7:43 PM - 17 January, 2023
299
Featured

Returning Syrian Refugees from Lebanon

2:29 PM - 28 December, 2022
230
MENA Reseach and Study Center

2023 © by Target

MENA Research & Study Center

  • About Us
  • Advanced search
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy
  • Imprint

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Advanced search
  • Reports and Analysis
  • Essays
  • Regions
    • Mena
    • Europe
  • Topics
    • Politics
    • Politics Islam
    • Migration
    • Terrorism
    • Extremism
  • Podcast
    • Europe Monitor
    • Talks and Input
  • Videos
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • English

2023 © by Target

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Pin It on Pinterest

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
error: Alert: Content selection is disabled!!
  • English