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Roundup Of All The Banks Hit This Morning
Beirut has witnessed multiple bank hits this morning, mostly concentrated in the Badaro area. The day’s actions kicked off with a protest by the Sarkhat el Moud3een depositors’ association, amidst a skyrocketing Lira-USD exchange rate and a continued bank strike.
Currently, protesters are surrounding Bank association head Salim Sfeir’s residence in Sin el fil, and some debris has been reportedlyy set on fire around the house. Elsewhere, road blocks are being reported across the country, with pictures of heavy smoke emerging from around banks in the Msharafieh area.
The first banks to be hit were Bank Audi and Fransabank on Badaro’s main street. The branches, which are just opposite each other, saw their entrances set on fire and their facilities attacked with rocks and poles. Heavy smoke quickly filled up the street, and brought attention to the depositors’ protests.
After that, the roving march went towards Credit Bank on Sami el Solh avenue, attacking its doors, ATMs, and other facilities. A small scuffle was also witnessed between the protesters and a passerby, with minimal security presence on the scene.
Protesters then continued down the street to the nearby Byblos bank branch, where they continued to register their resentment against the banks. A molotov cocktail was thrown at one of the bank’s ATMs, followed by an attack on its door and signs.
The group then set their sights on the BBAC branch across the street from Byblos, repeating the same assault routine. Local television cameras broadcasted a difference in opinion between the protesters on whether they should set wheels on fire at the bank’s entrance. Some have claimed that employees were inside the bank, but that remains unconfirmed amidst a seemingly open ended bank strike.
The protesters eventually set fire to the entrance of the bank, triggering a response from the Civil Defense and Lebanese Army. Firetrucks and ambulances were quickly deployed to the scene, alongside riot-equipped security forces. The fire was extinguished after a period of heavy smoke.
The remaining protesters continued to the Libano-Francaise bank a little after BBAC, seemingly ending their movement there. It remains unclear if further actions are planned for today, but we will keep you updated Beirut.com and across our social media channels.
.# # pic.twitter.com/nqJNNSDVzC
— (@Akhbaralsaha) February 16, 2023
Currently, protesters are surrounding Bank association head Salim Sfeir’s residence in Sin el fil, and some debris has been reportedlyy set on fire around the house. Elsewhere, road blocks are being reported across the country, with pictures of heavy smoke emerging from around banks in the Msharafieh area.
— bintjbeil.org (@bintjbeilnews) February 16, 2023
Breaking: Audi Bank and Fransabank in Badaro have reportedly been set on fire. pic.twitter.com/sbcpsNRFRj
— Beirut.com (@BeirutCityGuide) February 16, 2023
The first banks to be hit were Bank Audi and Fransabank on Badaro’s main street. The branches, which are just opposite each other, saw their entrances set on fire and their facilities attacked with rocks and poles. Heavy smoke quickly filled up the street, and brought attention to the depositors’ protests.
After that, the roving march went towards Credit Bank on Sami el Solh avenue, attacking its doors, ATMs, and other facilities. A small scuffle was also witnessed between the protesters and a passerby, with minimal security presence on the scene.
Protesters then continued down the street to the nearby Byblos bank branch, where they continued to register their resentment against the banks. A molotov cocktail was thrown at one of the bank’s ATMs, followed by an attack on its door and signs.
Big fire seen at BBAC in Badaro. Firetrucks and ambulance on scene. pic.twitter.com/ZZuHsTZp3S
— Beirut.com (@BeirutCityGuide) February 16, 2023
The group then set their sights on the BBAC branch across the street from Byblos, repeating the same assault routine. Local television cameras broadcasted a difference in opinion between the protesters on whether they should set wheels on fire at the bank’s entrance. Some have claimed that employees were inside the bank, but that remains unconfirmed amidst a seemingly open ended bank strike.
The protesters eventually set fire to the entrance of the bank, triggering a response from the Civil Defense and Lebanese Army. Firetrucks and ambulances were quickly deployed to the scene, alongside riot-equipped security forces. The fire was extinguished after a period of heavy smoke.
The remaining protesters continued to the Libano-Francaise bank a little after BBAC, seemingly ending their movement there. It remains unclear if further actions are planned for today, but we will keep you updated Beirut.com and across our social media channels.
