Tunisia Rocked by Rare Protests and Police Clashes Amidst Growing Unrest

Tunisian police have engaged in confrontations with protesters in the capital, Tunis, and the southern town of Jebiniana, marking a rare outbreak of unrest. These demonstrations are reportedly linked to recent deaths involving the police. In Ettadhamen, a Tunis suburb, police deployed tear gas on Thursday to disperse demonstrators following the death of a man who was in police custody on suspicion of drug dealing. The man's family alleges he died due to police abuse and is demanding accountability and clarification of the circumstances. Conversely, local media suggested he died after ingesting drugs. Protesters responded by blocking roads, setting tires ablaze, and throwing stones at police, who were attempting to secure a National Guard station in the area.

In Jebiniana, located in the Sfax governorate, similar clashes occurred after the death of another man whose relatives claim he died while being pursued by security forces. Tunisian media reported that protesters set a vehicle on fire and burned tires, with police responding with tear gas.

Further protests were seen in the coastal city of Sfax, where students demonstrated over the death of a female student, attributing blame to ambulance services. Her colleagues stated that the ambulance response was delayed due to a perceived lack of medical facilities, and they called for a strike at Sfax University's faculties. These events on Thursday coincide with Tunisia's deepening economic, social, and political crisis, raising concerns about potential wider violent protests as public anger mounts over declining living standards and inadequate public services.

The unrest follows a large protest on Saturday in the capital, where thousands demonstrated against President Kais Saied, accusing him of undermining democracy and mismanaging the economy. This growing challenge to his leadership comes shortly after a Tunisian military court sentenced opposition politician Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison on charges related to state security and inciting military disobedience, an action seen as the latest move against Saied's opponents.