Tales from the sea

by Venetia Rainey June 4, 2015

written by Venetia Rainey June 4, 2015

The ISF stormed Dalieh in the early hours of May 2 with bulldozers and 150 officers (Greg Demarque | Executive)

This article is part of an ongoing investigation on Beirut’s coast, from Raouche to Ramlet al-Baida. You can find the other articles here. *** It was 5 a.m. on Saturday May 2 when around 150 police officers descended on Dalieh. “I was there when they came,” Mohammad Itani tells Executive, speaking from outside the pile of rubble that previously housed him and his relatives. “They came at 5 a.m. with Caterpillars [bulldozers] and got us all out of our houses … they handcuffed some of us, including my nephew’s wife.” He pauses to beat back the mosquitoes that had gathered in anticipation of dusk in the hot early evening air. “Everyone’s houses were bulldozed, all of [them]. But we are still living here for the moment, in cars, boats and caves,” he says defiantly. “The officer in charge said they had been told by a high ranking guy in the

Venetia Rainey

Venetia Rainey is the Weekend Foreign Editor at The Telegraph, where she has been shaping international coverage since January 2023. Previously, she served as the Assistant Foreign Editor at the same publication and held roles as Business Editor and correspondent at Monocle. With extensive experience as a freelance foreign correspondent for BBC News and various other media outlets, she has covered diverse regions including the Middle East and Europe. Venetia holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Edinburgh and a BA in English Literature and History from the University of York.

1 comment

Concerned Citizen June 8, 2015 - 1:33 PM

This article is actually disgusting. What do you mean “poor fishermen” in quotes.? The fishermen were bullied into leaving and they will no longer be able to access the sea or their livelihoods. What about future generations? What about people that lost their purpose? What about all of the families and kids that are not allowed to access the sea anymore because they don’t have 40 dollars a day to spare? What about the people that grew up there? This is so messed up.

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Tales from the sea

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