A Hezbollah supporter during a demonstration against Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in front of the Serail in Beirut on April 9, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Behind the Saqiet al-Janzir incident, a growing risk of sectarian unrest

While several Beirut MPs say the incident is now over, others warn against underestimating Sunni anger.

28 Apr 2026, 09:05 by Yara ABI AKL · L'Orient Today

Although this time, Beirut narrowly avoided escalation, the prospect of a security flare up, amid heightened sectarian tensions, still hangs over the capital two days after Saturday’s incident in the Sunni neighborhood of Saqiet al-Janzir.State Security officers clashed with local residents there. The confrontation was quickly brought under control, notably with the intervention of Beirut MPs. But it unfolded against a backdrop of deepening Sunni-Shiite polarization, particularly over Hezbollah and its arsenal.The incident began with a forceful raid by State Security agents on a generator owner, Hassan Itani, in the neighborhood.The disproportionate use of force, viewed as intended to intimidate, prompted local residents to intervene. Officers then fired into the air to disperse the crowd.The gunfire triggered anger among the Sunnis and...

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