Newsletters
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Tuesday blamed a "hybrid war" for escalating unrest in the country following a week of violent anti-government demonstrations in the capital, Tirana.
Protesters have repeatedly clashed with police since last Tuesday as months of demonstrations intensified, fueled by renewed demands for better university conditions and growing anger over corruption.
The protests, which have drawn thousands of people, have seen police repeatedly deploy water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets against crowds targeting government buildings and vandalizing stores across the capital, according to AFP reporters.
Clashes erupted again Tuesday after initially beginning on a smaller scale than in previous days, with demonstrators renewing demands for the center-left prime minister's resignation.
Riot police fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse protesters attempting to approach government headquarters, while demonstrators launched fireworks and hurled Molotov cocktails and stones at officers.
Protesters also set trash cans on fire to create barricades.
Around 300 people have been injured in the week of unrest, more than half of them police officers, according to authorities.
Earlier Tuesday, Rama reiterated his accusations that "foreign actors" were behind the violence. He has previously accused Russia and Iran of fueling online misinformation.
"This has now been recognized and is becoming a major issue across Europe," Rama said in a statement broadcast live during a visit to the Education Ministry.
"It is a hybrid war that gains traction precisely because it is rooted in genuine grievances, not mere fantasy," he added, pointing to the rising cost of living, housing affordability and concerns about the future.
Rama also suggested a possible social media ban for children under 16 and signaled potential changes to the age of criminal responsibility.
High school students have joined university students in the demonstrations, prompting repeated warnings from police and authorities condemning the involvement of minors in violent incidents.
On Tuesday morning, hundreds of university professors marched in solidarity with protesters, denouncing police violence against students, according to an AFP reporter.
Carrying a banner reading "Stop violence against students," the professors also called for Rama's resignation.
The weeklong unrest has caused extensive damage to several government buildings, including the Education Ministry.
The anti-government demonstrations initially erupted over a controversial resort development linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's family.
However, anger over the project has since developed into a broader protest movement against corruption, with demonstrators continuing to demand that Rama step down.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
