Conflict Incident Report

Residents of the Nabatieh towns of Arab Salim and Habboush protested a nearby waste dump that the residents claim has been causing health problems, briefly blocking a main road. The residents protested what they said was health and environmental damage created by a waste dump near a river between the towns which is also creating a stench and attracting insects. The dump was created around five years ago, although more has been disposed in it the past two months, including medical waste.
The demonstration caused traffic, prompting an Internal Security Forces unit to move the protestors to reopen the road.
The protesters urged the municipalities to find a solution to the issue, holding banners urging officials to close the dump, calling it a health hazard. The Daily Star could not reach authorities in the area for comment before going to print.
“We call on the closure of the dump without delay and we call on punishing and holding accountable those who are responsible for this dump,” a resident said in a speech.
The protestors accused some unspecified people of burning trash at night in order to cover up the amount of waste being thrown in the dump. They also prevented a truck with medical waste from emptying its contents into the dump, threatening to escalate their actions.
“We live in a remote area and we should enjoy clean air. I call on all residents to stand united,” said Bana Moukalled, a resident from the area.
She was joined by Amina Haidar, who has been battling cancer for the past two years and claims the dump contributed to her illness.
“I have cancer as a result of this dump. I am not alone in this, and there are several cases such as mine,” Haidar said. “It is the painful truth.”