An Inside Look at Beirut’s Explosion
A note from EU&U
We asked Matteo Rubinetto, our Italo-Lebanese collaborator, to help us see the crisis through the eyes of the people directly affected by it. Here is his story:
A Rough History
If you ask any Lebanese citizen, their countries’ troubles didn’t start with the harbour explosion on the 4th of August 2020. That day was just the latest tragic event that brought an already suffering country to its knees.
On October 17th 2019 hundreds of citizens took to the streets in every part of Lebanon to denounce the general disapproval towards the national establishment. The initial causes were several, a suggested increase in tobacco and petrol taxes, but most of all the billing of VoIP calls via applications. Quickly the protests grew in size and number and started a nation-wide condemnation of sectarian rule fueled by a stagnant economy, a 46% unemployment rate in 2018, endemic corruption in the public sector and especially failures of the government to provide basic services such as electricity, water and sanitation to its citizens.
The national issues of Lebanon have also been compounded due to the fact that the country has always accepted into its borders refugees from neighboring countries. As of 2019 almost half a million Palestinians and 1.5 million Syrian refugees have been hosted amongst the 4 million Lebanese in a spirit of unity with its Arab neighbors but this has had its own toll on the national economy.
Most certainly a historic crucial issue is the gradual devaluation of the Lebanese Pound and its purchasing power.
Since the Lebanese Civil war (1975–1990) the US dollar- Lebanese Pound exchange rate has been fixed at 1:1500. However, without a tourist influx carrying needed foreign currency into the country, the exchange rate started dwindling from 2000 LBP in January reaching today’s black market rate of 6000 LBP.
Basic products, including domestic goods, have seen a rise in price by more than 300%. In addition, Lebanon imports almost every good via air and maritime shipping even more so recently as in 2018, 72% of the imported goods arrived in the Cedar country through its harbors and airports.
What happened on the 4th of August in Beirut?
On August 4th a massive explosion took place in the heart of Beirut. According to government sources, 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were being stored in the port’s premises.
This substance is usually employed as an agricultural fertilizer and can be used to create rudimental bombs.
It is strongly believed that the pro-Iran Shia party Hezbollah has some responsibility in the events that led to the explosion. Since 2016 the party of God has deeply influenced Lebanese politics obtaining in exchange advantages especially on the harbour and border logistics.
According to explosives expert Danilo Coppe, things don’t add up.
The real cause of the explosion is still a mystery and only in the upcoming days will be determined. The investigation had been hindered by the government for several days after the blast. Lebanese President Michel Aoun forbade international journalists to access the harbor. Hezbollah militants have been seen in the area in the previous days even though the area was declared off-limits.
Secret underground tunnels and chambers were recently discovered below the area.
According to explosives expert Danilo Coppe, things don’t add up. 2700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate would have filled more than a hundred containers, hence a simultaneous explosion would have been unlikely.
Even the nature of the blast is odd as some are speculating there would have been a far greater explosion characterized by yellow fumes instead of the bright orange-red we all saw in the videos.
In my opinion, continues Coppe, the cause of the explosion was ammo and explosives stored on the premises.
According to Reuters, Lebanon’s leaders were already warned of explosives in the port in July and it seems that part of this rumored stockpile had been stored at the harbor for seven years.
On Monday the10th of August, Prime Minister Hassan Diab and the cabinet resigned leading to a new phase for the troubled Cedar country.
On Thursday 13th the parliament declared a state of emergency in Beirut, giving full powers to the armed forces in the capital city. One thing is certain, the Lebanese people took matters in their own hands and managed to show their resilience and solidarity since the government has been completely lacking in initiative.
Beirut is a phoenix that will always rise from its ashes.
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