Guns, gangs and metal: The double-edged sword of protection inside Beirut's scrap economies

Abstract

In Beirut, the role of ‘local strong men’, known as the masoul, has significantly transformed, particularly in Lebanon's financial crisis and since the devastating Beirut port explosion in August 2020. Traditionally, these armed henchmen, affiliated with mainstream political parties, have exerted control over the scrap metal industry, from collection to transportation. However, the increasing profitability of scrap metal, notably copper and iron – long-standing leading exports – has led to new forms of ‘local strong men’, termed ‘asabet (gangs). These groups have escalated violence, breaking from what was previously considered normative behaviour. This article examines these evolving protection practices and their implications for Lebanon's sociopolitical landscape.