Tunisian security forces clashed with demonstrators in the capital’s Ettadhamen suburb on Thursday, following the death of a man detained on suspicion of drug trafficking. The man’s family alleged he died from police abuse, while local media reported he perished after ingesting drugs. Protesters blocked roads, burned tires, and threw stones, prompting police to fire tear gas as they sought to secure a National Guard station.
Similar unrest erupted in the southern town of Jebiniana, where crowds protested after a man died while allegedly being chased by security forces. Demonstrators set a vehicle on fire and burned tires, and police responded with tear gas.
In the coastal city of Sfax, students protested the death of a female student who suffered a cardiac emergency, blaming ambulance services for a delayed response due to insufficient medical facilities. They called for a strike at Sfax University’s faculties on Friday.
The flare-ups coincide with a deepening economic, social, and political crisis in Tunisia, raising concerns over a possible escalation of violence as public anger grows over deteriorating living conditions and poor public services.
Thousands of Tunisians took part in the largest demonstration against President Kais Saied in years on Saturday, accusing him of undermining democracy and mishandling the economy. On Wednesday, a military court sentenced opposition politician Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison on charges of plotting against state security and inciting the military to disobey orders, further intensifying political tensions.
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