Hizbullah, AMAL Supporters Attack Protesters as Roads Blocked across Lebanon

  • W460
  • W460
  • W460

Supporters of Hizbullah and the AMAL Movement launched fresh attacks late Sunday on anti-corruption protesters in central Beirut, as roads were blocked across Lebanon in an escalation of anti-corruption protests.

Shortly before midnight on Sunday, men on foot and scooters arrived at a roadblock set up by anti-graft protesters across the Ring flyover in central Beirut.

Fistfights first erupted before the AMAL and Hizbullah supporters descended on Riad al-Solh and Martyrs Square where they reportedly vandalized tents and threatened protesters.

They shouted insults and chanted in support of the chiefs of the Shiite movements Hizbulah and AMAL, before briefly breaking through and attacking some demonstrators.

Those at the roadblock chanted "peaceful, peaceful", as the security forces and army reinforcements deployed in a thick line between both sides in the early hours of Monday morning. 

The tensions came after a peaceful day of demonstrations, more than a month into a spontaneous nationwide street movement against the political elite.

On Saturday, Lebanese security forces briefly detained five youths, including three minors, for allegedly pulling down a sign for President Michel Aoun's political party in the town of Hammana east of Beirut, sparking outrage on social media.

Security forces released them after midnight, the Committee of Lawyers for the Defence of Protesters said.

The army said two of the children were 15 years old and the third was 12.

"Down with the regime that arrests children," a Twitter user said.

"When a 12-year-old child manages to shake the state's throne, you know the state is corrupt," another wrote.

- Hundreds of arrests -

During the first month of demonstrations, security forces arrested 300 people including 12 minors who were released within 24 to 48 hours, according to the lawyers' committee.

But 11 people -- including two minors -- remain in detention accused of attacking a hotel in the southern city of Tyre during the first week of the uprising.

The demonstrators managed to bring down the government less than two weeks into the protests, but it remains in a caretaker capacity and no new cabinet has since been formed.

Late Sunday, protesters blocked major roads in several parts of the country and called for a general strike the following day in protest at the lack of progress in forming a fresh government. 

Earlier, hundreds had gathered in protest centres in Beirut, the northern city of Tripoli and in Tyre.

In Beirut's Martyrs' Square, hundreds of women and men demanded their rights, some waving the national red and white flag or chanting "Revolution, Revolution!"

Lebanon's protests have brought together people of all ages from across the political spectrum, tired of what they describe as sectarian politics three decades after a civil war.

In the latest show of unity, a festive mood had reigned Sunday afternoon as Lebanese came together in public spaces across the country on the second day of the weekend.

North of the capital women prepared traditional salads to share, while a group of men danced on a beach south of the city, state television footage showed.

The Free Patriotic Movement party that Aoun founded is now led by his son-in-law, outgoing foreign minister Jebran Bassil, one of the most reviled figures in the protests.

Hizbollah is the only party not to have disarmed after the 1975-1990 civil war and plays a key role in Lebanese politics.

Comments 7
Thumb gebran_sons 25 November 2019, 01:58

Sad, they received the order from Iran. Time to liberate Lebanon, bring these thugs and their leaders to justice, and allow no arms except with the Lebanese army. No brainer...

Missing cedars 25 November 2019, 05:23

Create a buffer zone, a line of army officers to stop the dark boys, another line to fence the peace makers.
Those who stone, will be stoned back by their own stone, those who damage tants will need to be jailed for destroying public properties.

Missing samiam 25 November 2019, 06:21

THey are losing the PR war---they saw the types of people marching on Independence day like doctors, engineers, college students and they really don't have an answer. They tried blaming the west, the US, zionists and imaginary figments of society, and when that failed, they are back to thugs.

They are only a resistance against the Libanese freedom now---let's see what lies their next cleric and/or politicians spews out to justify this.

Missing gittany 25 November 2019, 08:12

i beleive amal hizballah dont deserve lebanon in fact they are iranian thuggs they showed there true colors gangsters

Missing lebcan 25 November 2019, 10:09

I think once we have a new state under Just rule. first order of business is to start stripping these thugs of their nationality and deport them to Iran so the Shia majority (of course all the Lebanese) can be free of these Thugs.

Samiam's Quote... 'THey are losing the PR war---they saw the types of people marching on Independence day like doctors, engineers, college students and they really don't have an answer.'

They just Don't!!!

Thumb joebustani 25 November 2019, 11:09

Bless anyone person, entity, organization, brigade or country that inflicts extreme pain and unbearable suffering, death, torture, and destruction upon the iranian sectarian terrorist militia, its leaders, members, sponsors, supporters or followers wherever they may be.

Thumb smarty 25 November 2019, 14:33

⚠️ We must never forget that these people are assassins and murderers.