Armed clashes erupt during protests over a judge’s investigation into last year’s deadly port explosion.

Beirut is grappling with its worst street violence in over a decade, as at least six people have been killed in clashes between armed militias. The fighting erupted after hundreds of militia members took to the streets, causing much of the city to go into lockdown. The violence, which escalated into a sectarian conflict, drew comparisons to the Lebanese civil war and raised fears of further destabilization in a country already beset by multiple crises.

The immediate cause of the clashes was a protest organized by members of Hezbollah and Amal, two Shia political parties, against the ongoing judicial investigation into the catastrophic port explosion that rocked Beirut in 2020. The violence began with sniper fire from residential buildings, targeting the protesters. In retaliation, the demonstrators fired back with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. Hezbollah has accused gunmen from the right-wing Christian Lebanese Forces of opening fire on their supporters, further deepening sectarian tensions.

The deadly violence has sparked widespread concern, with many fearing it could lead to more intense and prolonged conflict in Lebanon.