BEIRUT (Ruptly) — Clashes erupted in front of a military court in Beirut on Friday, where protesters gathered to call for the release of people detained during last month’s protests against COVID-19 restrictions and worsening living conditions in the city of Tripoli.

Violent protests in the northern city of Tripoli lasted several days in January leading to a number of arrests.

Demonstrators threw objects at police officers and were met with tear gas and water cannons.

Since 2019, Lebanon has been going through a major economic and social crisis made worse by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the Beirut port explosions which occurred in 2020.