2021 Beirut clashes
2021 Beirut clashes | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Funeral of people killed in the clashes | ||||||
| ||||||
Belligerents | ||||||
Lebanese Forces (alleged) | Lebanese Armed Forces |
Amal Movement Hezbollah | ||||
Casualties and losses | ||||||
Unknown | Unknown |
3 killed[1] 3 killed[1] | ||||
1 civilian woman killed Total: 7 killed and 32 wounded |
The 2021 Beirut clashes, also known as the 2021 Beirut massacre, Tayouneh Incident or Mini May 7,[2] occurred in the Tayouneh neighborhood of the Lebanese capital of Beirut on 14 October 2021 between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, and unidentified gunmen allegedly associated with the Lebanese Forces, and the Lebanese Armed Forces, resulting in the death of seven people and injury of 32 others, and the arrest of nine by the Lebanese Armed Forces.[3] The violence erupted during a protest organized by Hezbollah and its allies against Tarek Bitar, the lead judge probing the 2020 explosion in the city's port, as they accuse him of being partisan.[4] The clashes took place at the Justice Palace, located in Eastern Beirut along the former civil war front line between the Christian and Muslim Shiite areas.[5] The clashes were the worst in the country since the 2008 Lebanon conflict.[5]
Background
During the
Following the civil war, armed groups like the Lebanese Forces, Amal, and Hezbollah transformed into political parties, yet continued to field paramilitary wings.[11] Hezbollah remained particularly committed to its armed forces which grew into a medium-sized army.[12] In the 2000s, Lebanon's political scene divided into two main blocs which formed in accordance to parties' stance regarding Syria's influence on the country. The March 14 Alliance, which includes the Lebanese Forces, is anti-Syrian, whereas the pro-Syrian March 8 Alliance is backed by Hezbollah and Amal.[13]
Prelude
Lebanon had been in a state of financial crisis since 2019, and the situation gradually worsened with the
Incident
On 14 October 2021, protests were held in the Tayouneh neighborhood of Beirut by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement; several of the demonstrators were armed. They were calling for the removal of Tarek Bitar, the judge appointed to investigate the Beirut port explosion.
Fighting consequently erupted in Beirut, as Hezbollah militants shot
Hezbollah-affiliated activists have claimed, but not verified, that one of the snipers was Shukri Abu Saab, an employee of the US embassy in Beirut.[28] A Syrian national was among those arrested and detained in connection with the sniper and militant attacks.[29]
Aftermath
Seven people were killed overall in the incident.
The clashes caused great trauma among Lebanese, who did not wish to return to the days of the Lebanese Civil War.[33] Banks, schools, offices and shops closed in many places as funerals of those killed in the clashes were held.[34]
On 4 August 2023,Protesters in Beirut mark the third anniversary of the massive non-nuclear explosion, demanding justice for over 220 people killed and 6,500 injured. The investigation remains stalled due to political interference, leaving survivors still seeking answers.[35]
Reactions
Domestic
President Michel Aoun expressed in a televised address that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable, he stated that “I have made contacts with the relevant parties today to address what happened and most importantly, to make sure that it never happens again." He compared the clashes to the Lebanese Civil War, stating “It took us back to the days that we said we would never forget and never repeat."[36][30]
Cars with mounted guns and flags of the Shia Amal and Hezbollah were driving throughout the Beqaa valley in an apparent show of strength for the two movements.[16] Hezbollah went on the claim that the Lebanese Forces had organized the incident with support by the United States to destabilize Lebanon. Lebanese Forces official Imad Wakim responded by stating that the clash was not the result of ethnic or party rivalries, but rather a "confrontation between Hezbollah and the remaining free Lebanese of all sects, in order to preserve what remains of the state institutions and to protect them from Hezbollah's dominance."[1] In a televised response to the event, Nasrallah insisted that he has up to 100,000 militants ready to deploy at any time.[37]
Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that Lebanon would hold a national day of mourning for those killed in the attacks.[38] He later told reporters that the clashes would be a setback for his government, but would be overcome, stating that Lebanon "is going through a difficult phase, not an easy one. We are like a patient in front of the emergency room.”[30]
International
- US State Department spokesman Ned Price urged the de-escalation of tensions between political parties.[30] Similarly, United States Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, who had just visited Beirut that day, called the scene "unacceptable".[3]
- The Kuwaiti Ministry Of Foreign Affairs encouraged Kuwaitis in Lebanon to return to Kuwait, and called on them to "exercise caution" and to "stay away from sites of gatherings and security disturbances in some areas and to stay in their residences".[30]
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed "deep concern", claiming that "France notes its deep concern over recent obstacles to the smooth unfolding of the investigation into the explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, and the violence that has taken place in that regard", and that the Lebanese judiciary should be able to work closely on the investigation.[39]
Intergovernmental organizations
- A spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres stated that "U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calls on all concerned in Lebanon to immediately halt acts of violence and refrain from provocative actions or inflammatory rhetoric".[40]
References
- ^ Long War Journal. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Sayyed Nasrallah: Samir Geagea's remarks on "Mini May 7 events" represent a clear claim of responsibility of the massacre in Tayouneh". almanar.com. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ a b Mostafa, Salem; Qiblawi, Tamara (14 October 2021). "Beirut's worst street violence in more than a decade kills at least 6". CNN.
- ^ Mroue, Bassem (16 July 2021). "Riots in Lebanon as West calls for quick Cabinet formation". Associated Press.
- ^ a b c d Karam, Zeina; El Deeb, Sarah (14 October 2021). "5 killed in Beirut during protest over judge in blast probe". Associated Press. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ Salamey (2014), pp. 41–42.
- ^ Salamey (2014), pp. 44–45.
- ^ Salamey (2014), p. 44.
- ^ Salamey (2014), p. 45.
- ^ Salamey (2014), pp. 47–48.
- ^ Salamey (2014), pp. 64–65, 121–123.
- ^ "Hezbollah: Not a terror group but a midsized army". Haaretz. August 2016.
- ^ Salamey (2014), pp. 64–65.
- ^ Agencies (2021-08-15). "At least 20 killed and 79 injured in fuel tank explosion in Lebanon". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ^ "Power returns to Lebanon after 24-hour blackout". BBC News. 2021-10-10. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ^ a b Chulov, Martin (2021-10-14). "Six dead as Beirut gripped by worst street violence in 13 years". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2021-10-14. Retrieved 2021-10-16.
- ^ "Judge Tarek Bitar appointed as new lead investigator in Beirut blast probe | News , Lebanon News | THE DAILY STAR". www.dailystar.com.lb. Archived from the original on 2021-02-21. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
- ^ "Who is Tarek Bitar? Judge heading probe into deadly Beirut Port blast". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-10-16.
- ^ Abi-Nassif, Christophe (15 October 2021). "Making sense of the Beirut clashes". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 2021-10-15.
- ^ El Deeb, Sarah (19 October 2021). "Lebanon buries 7 killed amid street battles over port probe". WAPO. Archived from the original on 2021-10-15.
- ^ a b c "Gunfire Breaks Out in Beirut During Protest of Judge; 6 Dead | AP News | 14. 10.2021". USNEWS. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ^ a b c d Economic Collapse, Energy Crisis, Now Fear of Civil War In Lebanon, 10/14/21 Newsweek
- ^ a b Vohra, Anchal. "Sectarian Violence is Lebanese Elites Comfort Zone.| FP | 14.10.2021". foreignpolicy. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
- ^ a b c "Lebanese army to investigate soldier seen shooting at protesters in Beirut last week| PD | 18.10.2021". PD. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
- ^ a b "Lebanon: Hezbollah, Lebanese Forces trade blame over deadly protests". DW. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Lebanese Army arrests nine people after Beirut violence | AJ | 14. 10.2021". AJ. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ^ Wiedeking, Lara (15 October 2021). "Lebanon is feared to spiral into violence after sectarian clashes in Beirut". Deutsche Welle.
- ^ Latest: Senior Journalist identifies one of Beirut snipers as employee of US embassy Archived 2021-10-17 at the Wayback Machine, NBS Webdesk
- ^ "Day of mourning in Lebanon after deadly clashes | HDN | 15. 10.2021". HDN. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g Varshalomidze, Tamila; Ibrahim, Arwa (16 October 2021). "Gunfire kills several people near Beirut protest: Live news". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ Joffre, Tzvi (15 October 2021). "Seven killed, 32 injured in firefight in the heart of Beirut". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Hubbard, Ben; Santora, Marc (14 October 2021). "Deadly Clashes in Beirut Escalate Fears Over Lebanon's Dysfunction". The New York Times.
- ^ Chehayeb, Kareem (15 October 2021). "Beirut armed clashes rattle distressed residents". Al Jazeera.
- ^ Westfall, Sammy (15 October 2021). "What is happening in Beirut?". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Hundreds protest as Lebanon marks 3 years since Beirut blast". The Jordan Times. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ "Lebanon president says people behind violence will be held accountable". The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- AP News. Archivedfrom the original on 2021-10-18.
- ^ "Lebanon to hold day of public mourning on Friday, PM says". National Post. 2021-10-14. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ^ Iskandarani, Aya (15 October 2021). "Clashes over Beirut blast investigation spark international concern". The National News.
- ^ "U.N. chief calls for halt to Lebanon violence". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
Works cited
- ISBN 978-0-415-63687-2.