Tirana Unrest Leaves 300 Injured as Police Deploy Water Cannons

Albanian police used force to clear streets in the capital on Saturday, leaving more than 300 people injured. The deployment of water cannons and tear gas marked a sharp escalation in a dispute that has simmered since mid-October.

The violence broke out after thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tirana. Organizers had called for students and residents from across the country to attend. Police also fired rubber bullets at the crowd. Officials said dozens of protesters were taken into custody during the dispersal.

Several government buildings came under attack during the rally. The Ministry of Education served as a primary target. Demonstrators threw stones at the structure and pushed burning trash bins toward the entrance. Local media noted that authorities had increased security around the city and conducted vehicle checks leading up to the event.

The current wave of unrest stems from complaints about school conditions and rising living costs. This has added to a broader campaign against corruption that began in May. The initial spark was news of a luxury hotel project connected to the family of US President Donald Trump. The protests have since expanded to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Rama has attributed the chaos to foreign influence. He accused Russia and Iran of spreading misinformation online. In an attempt to signal openness to negotiations, the government placed red cushions outside its headquarters on Saturday. Protesters responded by setting the cushions on fire.

Various groups pledged their support for Saturday's rally. University professors, artists, and opposition parties joined the call for demonstrations. While Rama is a Socialist, some demonstrators also held signs criticizing his main rival, center-right leader Sali Berisha, blaming the entire political class for the crisis.