The newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reports: The popular pressure campaign in the southern suburbs of Beirut against the two components of the "Shia duet" (Amal Movement and Hezbollah) on one side, and against the Lebanese state on the other, has resulted in a continuous security campaign since last week. This campaign involves various Lebanese security agencies, leading to the arrest of dozens of wanted individuals for crimes such as theft, pickpocketing, and drug trafficking, and has recently shifted to targeting those who orchestrate criminal activities.
Incidents of pickpocketing, motorcycle theft, and mobile phone theft have surged significantly in recent times, causing residents to restrict their movement in local markets largely to avoid such crimes. One resident told Asharq Al-Awsat that she hesitates to go out at night to shop for Eid al-Fitr essentials due to fears of robbery, while others are forced to park motorcycles at building entrances as they are frequently stolen.
Residents have not only adopted cautious behavior or restricted their movements; local youth have resorted to what resembles self-defense. Social media users circulated videos showing the apprehension of a person attempting to steal a motorcycle, who was beaten before being turned over to the official Lebanese security forces. This occurred just two days before the announcement of the commencement of the security campaign last week, which involves the Lebanese Army, Internal Security Forces, State Security, and General Security.
Residents of the suburbs express satisfaction with the presence of security forces on their streets, scrutinizing the identities of passersby, pursuing wanted individuals, and apprehending them. Fadi Alama, a member of the "Development and Liberation" bloc, stated that the demand from political blocs for state security measures in the suburbs "has never stopped." However, in recent times, following the crisis that has hit Lebanon, "the pace of intensive measures has declined, leading to an increase in crime levels," referring to the financial crisis affecting state institutions, including security agencies. Alama noted that during recent meetings with the families of crime victims, there were complaints from residents that conditions had become unbearable, and their calls coincided with those of political figures urging the state to fulfill its role. He emphasized that "everyone is convinced that there is no alternative to the state's presence, and no one can assume its role," adding that "the absence or weak presence of the state will lead to the spread of crime, which we cannot accept or remain silent about," hence the renewed calls for the state to take control and be present intensively.
The pressure campaign peaked with the circulation of an anonymous statement on WhatsApp groups, signed by "a group of youth from the suburbs," which declared: "After the suburb has suffered from incidents of pickpocketing and theft, and the harm inflicted on its residents, along with the systematic negligence by responsible state agencies," they decided to punish thieves in kind, either by shooting them or stabbing them, and urged families to keep their law-breaking children in check.
In light of this public pressure and the evolving situation that threatens to spiral out of control and the onset of self-security measures, a meeting was held between representatives of Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, and security and military agencies. They agreed to activate the role of these agencies in their specialized units in the southern suburbs of Beirut, to conduct patrols in various areas throughout day and night, and to set up temporary checkpoints in different parts of the suburb, according to a joint statement issued by "Amal" and "Hezbollah," emphasizing withdrawal of protection from any involved parties.
The security agencies began their procedures last week, setting up unexpected checkpoints, scrutinizing passersby and motorcycles, and conducting thorough searches. This is also reflected in other areas like Al-Jamouz, Haret Hreik, Haret Al-Salam, and the desert of Shweifat. Various Lebanese security and military agencies are participating, and these measures have resulted in the arrest of dozens of wanted individuals involved in theft, pickpocketing, armed robbery, and those sought by arrest warrants.
Lebanese sources monitoring the security measures in the suburbs informed Asharq Al-Awsat that security forces are carrying out arrests and pursuits based on data and information gathered from street cameras, evidencing incidents of theft, gunfire, drug trafficking, and other unlawful activities. They indicated that the operations have progressed to target the gangs and the operators behind these criminals, as many do not act alone but are part of groups that deploy them.
The sources added that the presence of security forces—an action that has long been sought—reflected a sense of relief among residents ahead of the busy market opening season before Eid al-Fitr, a time that witnesses significant crowds.
