Every time sectarian clashes erupt in Tripoli’s warring neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh, it is left up to the beleaguered residents of the city to pick up the pieces.
Since 2008, 15 consecutive rounds of violence in Tripoli have taken their toll on all aspects of city life. Despite attempts by politicians who represent the city to salvage it from economic and social crises, the development projects they enthusiastically announce are typically not implemented.
Tripoli’s residents, however, have actively rejected the rounds of violence that habitually break out in the city, the recent clashes of last week included. From discussing the detrimental impacts of the violence in social gatherings, to forming groups on Facebook, the residents are mobilizing to express their demands for an arms-free city.
The residents have moved from protesting against the violent episodes at Tripoli’s government Serail to making outright demands for stability and security in the city. With financial assistance from volunteers, businessmen and civil society organizations, these groups have recently distributed large posters all over Tripoli, calling for peace and stability.
In parallel, officials from the city’s Chamber of Commerce and the municipalities of Tripoli, Mina and Beddawi, along with representatives from trade unions, scholars and social activists, formed the Civil Council of Tripoli to jointly express their views, rejecting the violence and the deteriorating security in the area. They also aim to express views different from the political parties and senior figures.
According to sources, most field commanders directing groups fighting in Bab al-Tabbaneh were against having new clashes with Jabal Mohsen, when they held a meeting in the Harba mosque. The source said the commanders believed it is best to give the Army control to manage the security situation in the city because Tripoli has no interest in continuing the fighting.
Similar positions were echoed by MPs and senior city figures who met at MP Mohammad Kabbara’s residence in Tripoli. They denounced the rounds of violence that disrupt the city, and the outside actors involved in perpetuating them.
Those who attended the meeting at Kabbara’s residence unanimously held the Cabinet responsible for not acting firmly enough against particular groups who aim to disrupt the security of the city.
Tripoli residents, for their part, expressed grief at the hardships left to endure after the rounds of violence, like renovating their damaged properties.
Taxi drivers, shop owners and fruit and vegetable vendors are acutely affected by the clashes, as business often plummets because residents choose to stay indoors, away from the violence.
Those who live close to front lines of the warring neighborhoods are often displaced during the clashes; some seek shelter with their relatives. They wait for the battles to end, before once again taking it upon themselves to renovate their damaged homes.
Most of them refuse to participate in the clashes and reject any position that calls for new battles to take place.
Some must wait for financial compensation from the government’s Higher Relief Committee, which has yet to pay for the damages inflicted from previous rounds of violence.
Due to the delay in compensation payments, Tripoli residents have staged numerous sit-ins to demand they be paid as soon as possible.
Because of these pressures, the council said in February that it would begin to pay compensation to those affected by clashes last October.
