https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/27/hundreds-protest-lockdown-measures-in-lebanons-tripoli
Protests and riots against the Lebanese government’s recent COVID-19 lockdown restrictions continue to ravage the country’s cities. In particular, Tripoli, the country’s second largest (and poorest) city, continues to face the rage of protestors, often devolving into violence. In the most recent events this past Wednesday, ISF security forces fired live ammunition at and injured multiple rioters who were hurling rocks. The ISF claims that, concurrent with these events, nine of their own members were injured in a grenade attack near one of the city’s official buildings. According to the Lebanese Red Cross, at least 74 people were injured in the Wednesday’s protests.
In order to put these recent riots within a greater context, one must understand the class division and financial crisis that was tearing apart Lebanon prior to the global COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of the Lebanese population experiences poverty, and so when Lebanon’s government, ruled by wealthy elites, rolls out strict lockdowns without any economic support, it is not very hard to understand how and why there is such violent outrage. Lebanon is indeed just one among many nations worldwide who’s already desperate financial crises were greatly exacerbated by the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lebanese government plans, however, on bringing the vaccine to its people, starting in February. The current goal is to have 80% of the population vaccinated by year’s end.
(Jan 30)