Firebomb Chaos in Tirana: Molotovs, Clashes and Injuries as Opposition Protest Turns Violent

Tirana, February 10, 2026 – A major opposition protest in Albania escalated into violent clashes on Tuesday evening, with protesters throwing Molotov cocktails and pyrotechnics at government buildings, setting fires and confronting police forces deployed around the capital.

The demonstration, organized by the Democratic Party in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, began as a large political rally but quickly deteriorated into unrest. More than 1,300 police officers had been mobilized in advance to secure the area and prevent escalation.

Tensions intensified after opposition leader Sali Berisha addressed supporters, calling the protest a critical moment for the country and urging citizens to mobilize against the government over recent political scandals.

Shortly after the speeches, groups of protesters hurled firebombs, flares and other objects toward the Prime Minister’s Office and later toward the Parliament building. Fires were reported outside the government complex, while police responded using high-pressure water cannons to disperse the crowd.

The unrest later spread toward the Parliament, where further confrontations occurred. Protesters set fire to trash containers and continued throwing objects at security forces. One police officer was reported injured after being struck during the violence.

Authorities repeatedly issued public warnings through loudspeakers, urging demonstrators to step back and calling on families to remove children from the protest area due to safety concerns.

At least one protester was seen bleeding from a head injury, though the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.

Despite the escalation, there were no immediate reports of tear gas being used by police as of the latest updates.

During his address, Berisha described the protests as a “citizens’ revolt” and claimed that public resistance had prevented what he called an attempted “institutional takeover” by the government. Other opposition figures said demonstrations would continue until a political solution is reached.

The protest was part of a broader opposition campaign accusing Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration of corruption and democratic backsliding, claims the government has repeatedly rejected.

Tuesday’s events mark one of the most tense episodes of political unrest in Albania in recent years, raising concerns about political polarization and public security as tensions between the government and opposition continue to rise.