Rare unrest breaks out in Tunisian capital as police clash with protesters | News of the demonstrations

The demonstrations in several cities coincide with a worsening economic, social and political crisis in Tunisia.

Tunisian police clashed with protesters during rare unrest in the capital Tunis, as well as the southern town of Jebiniana, following recent police-related deaths.

Police forces fired tear gas on Thursday to disperse protesters in Ettadhamen, a suburb of the capital, following the death of a man arrested for drug trafficking.

The man’s family said he died as a result of abuse by police officers after his arrest, calling for clarification of the circumstances of his death and holding those responsible to account.

However, local media reported that he died after swallowing drugs.

Protesters blocked roads, burned tires and threw stones at police. Security forces responded by firing tear gas while seeking to secure a National Guard post in the area, the Reuters news agency reported.

In Jebiniana, Sfax governorate, clashes took place between police and protesters following the death of a man whose relatives said died while being chased by security forces.

Tunisian media reported that protesters set fire to a vehicle and burned tires, while police used tear gas against demonstrators.

Demonstrations in Sfax

Students in the coastal city of Sfax protested another civilian death, this time accusing ambulance services of being responsible for the death of a student suffering from a heart problem.

His colleagues said ambulance staff took too long to arrive, citing lack of medical facilities, and called for a strike at Sfax University faculties on Friday.

Thursday’s outbreaks of violence coincide with a deepening economic, social and political crisis in Tunisia, reinforcing fears of a wider wave of violent protests as anger grows over deteriorating living conditions and poor public services.

Thousands of Tunisians joined the biggest protest against President Kais Saied in years in the capital on Saturday, accusing him of undermining democracy and mismanaging the economy amid a growing challenge to his power.

A Tunisian military court on Wednesday sentenced opponent Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison for plotting against state security and inciting soldiers to disobey orders, the latest measure against Saied’s opponents.