Albanian capital sees violent clashes as anti‑government protesters confront police

Protests in Tirana have turned violent, with demonstrators confronting riot police after weeks of escalating anti‑government sentiment. Thousands of people have taken to the streets since Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and denouncing poor conditions at universities, soaring tuition fees and alleged corruption.

The latest unrest follows months of demonstrations that began over a controversial resort project tied to the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Images from the scene show a man brandishing a large Albanian flag in front of heavily armed officers, while another protester hurls a tear‑gas canister back toward the police line.

Riot police responded with firearms pointed at the crowd, and several protesters threw Molotov cocktails at the officers. Water cannons were deployed as the clashes intensified. One demonstrator was seen being handcuffed and taken away by police.

Protesters also attempted to block traffic, setting trash bins alight to obstruct a main road in the city. The confrontations have left the capital on edge, with authorities and opposition groups locked in a standoff over the future of the government and the direction of the nation.