A violent clash in Beirut’s Saqiet al-Janzir, a sunni majority area, on Saturday triggered public outrage and a wave of protests across the capital, following a controversial security operation targeting a private generator owner identified as Hassan Itani.
According to a security source, the case dates back four days, when a complaint was filed with Lebanon’s State Security over alleged pricing violations affecting displaced residents from Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahieh) and southern Lebanon. The source added that Itani’s legal representative took steps to withdraw the complaint, after which the Financial Prosecutor granted the generator owner a one-month deadline to regularize pricing.
Despite this, a patrol from the Intelligence and Special Operations Branch—headed by General Mohamad Chreim—was dispatched on Saturday to detain Itani. The unit, commonly referred to as the “strike force,” conducted the operation in the middle of the day in a densely populated area.
The raid quickly escalated into confrontation as residents attempted to block the arrest. The security source stated that members of the patrol opened fire into the air to disperse the crowd, contributing to panic and chaos on the scene. While no injuries were officially reported, witnesses described intense gunfire and widespread fear among civilians.
The source further insisted that State Security acted under a valid judicial order. However, this account contradicts statements made by attorney Mohamad Yamout to Houna Loubnan, in which he claimed that no such judicial authorization had been presented during the operation.
Judicial authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident. Five members of the patrol are currently being questioned by Judge Claude Ghanem regarding the discharge of firearms and the level of force used during the arrest attempt.
The fallout from the raid extended beyond the immediate area. By evening, protesters blocked major roads across Beirut, condemning both the incident and broader economic conditions, particularly ongoing disputes over private generator pricing amid Lebanon’s deepening energy crisis. The security source also noted that a number of individuals who had filed complaints against Itani were reportedly close to the Amal Movement, highlighting the sensitive political backdrop surrounding the case.
Later in the evening, Hassan Itani was released, a move that contributed to a gradual de-escalation on the ground. Following his release, protesters began to disperse and roadblocks were progressively lifted across the capital.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the raid and urged restraint to prevent further escalation.
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