Albania's capital gripped by fifth consecutive day of street violence

Clashes in Albania's capital intensified on Thursday as thousands of demonstrators faced off against riot police in the fifth consecutive day of unrest. Protesters hurled rocks, Molotov cocktails and other projectiles at law enforcement officers positioned throughout central Tirana, while police responded with rubber bullet fire in a significant escalation of force.

The violence resulted in at least 35 people sustaining injuries, though the full extent of casualties remained unclear as medical facilities struggled to cope with the influx of patients. Police had previously relied on water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds, marking the first deployment of rubber munitions as tensions between demonstrators and authorities reached a critical point.

The protests reflect deep political divisions in the Balkan nation, with citizens expressing grievances over governance and economic conditions. The sustained nature of the unrest has drawn international attention, raising concerns about public safety and the authorities' ability to maintain order amid widespread civil discontent.

Albanian officials have not announced plans to address protester demands or indicated when police operations might be scaled back. As darkness fell over Tirana, security forces maintained a visible presence throughout the city centre, bracing for continued confrontations.