
Indonesia Faces Deadly Protests and Political Unrest
The Indonesian finance minister's home was looted amid spreading unrest, highlighting escalating tensions and instability in the country.
All articles tagged with #looting

The Indonesian finance minister's home was looted amid spreading unrest, highlighting escalating tensions and instability in the country.

Protests in Indonesia over economic inequality and rising living costs have escalated, leading to violence, looting of government officials' homes, and heightened political and market instability, prompting government crackdowns and international warnings.

During protests in Los Angeles, looters stole iPhones from Apple stores, but Apple's anti-theft technology disabled the devices remotely, displaying tracking messages and sounding alarms, rendering them useless and aiding law enforcement in arrests. This security measure, part of a broader crackdown on retail theft, aims to deter opportunistic criminals by making stolen devices worthless and increasing penalties for looting.

The aid situation in Gaza is critically deteriorating due to ongoing Israeli blockade, airstrikes, security issues, and looting, with limited aid reaching the most desperate, hospitals at risk of shutdown, and children suffering from malnutrition amid a collapsing healthcare system.

The Israeli government has confirmed arming gangs in Gaza, including a group led by Yasser Abu Shabab, to counter Hamas, while Israel's broader strategy involves destabilizing Gaza through targeted assassinations and fostering lawlessness, which Hamas is actively fighting through its Arrow Unit to restore order and combat collaboration with Israeli forces.
The UN's World Food Programme reports that hungry crowds in Gaza have broken into a food warehouse amid a worsening humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli blockade, resulting in deaths and injuries, as aid supplies are looted and efforts to deliver aid are hampered by security issues and internal conflicts.

Following the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, crowds have looted his opulent residences in Damascus, revealing the extravagant lifestyle of the Assad family amidst widespread poverty in Syria. Videos and images show people taking luxury items, including designer goods and high-end cars, from the abandoned mansions. The Assad family's wealth, estimated at £1.6 billion, is believed to be hidden in various assets and offshore accounts, while the majority of Syrians live in poverty.

A convoy of 109 UN aid lorries was violently looted in Gaza, with 97 trucks lost after being forced to unload at gunpoint. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported the incident, highlighting the breakdown of civil order in Gaza, which has made aid operations nearly impossible. The looting exacerbates severe food shortages for two million people reliant on aid, amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. UNRWA criticized Israeli authorities for not ensuring safe aid delivery, while Israel blamed Hamas for aid theft.

The United Nations agency reported that nearly 100 aid trucks intended for Gaza were looted, complicating efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to the region.

Philadelphia influencer Dayjia "Meatball" Blackwell was sentenced to five years probation and 150 hours of community service after live-streaming looting during protests last September. She pled guilty to charges of riot with intent to commit a felony and criminal use of a communication facility. Blackwell must also pay a $10,000 fine. Her social media posts helped police track the looters, and her following has since quintupled.

Gang violence in Haiti has led to widespread looting, with UNICEF reporting the theft of essential supplies for maternal and child survival, and Guatemala's consul office also being ransacked. The chaos has left many Haitians in desperate conditions, pushing the country to the brink of famine and prompting the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The United States has deployed military forces to beef up security at its embassy and is offering limited charter flights for American citizens to leave the country.

A container carrying essential maternity and neonatal supplies, as well as early childhood development and education equipment, was looted in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, amid worsening gang violence and a humanitarian crisis. UNICEF representative Bruno Maes condemned the theft, emphasizing the critical need for these supplies in a collapsing healthcare system. With 80% of Port-au-Prince controlled by gangs and limited access to essential resources, including food, fuel, and medical supplies, the situation has led to a humanitarian catastrophe, prompting UN efforts to establish an air bridge for aid delivery.

UNICEF reported that one of its aid containers at Haiti's main port, containing essential items for maternal, neonatal, and child survival, was looted by armed groups amid the country's political and humanitarian crisis. The agency warned of record hunger and life-threatening malnutrition in parts of the capital, where heavily armed gangs have taken control. The looted supplies included critical medical equipment, exacerbating the already dire healthcare and nutrition situation, with shortages affecting hospitals nationwide.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the challenges of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing lawlessness and desperation leading to looting by criminal gangs and ordinary civilians. While he did not mention Hamas's involvement, concerns have been raised about the group siphoning off aid meant for civilians. Blinken announced the U.S. military's plan to build a port in Gaza for aid delivery, emphasizing it as a complement to other methods. The port is expected to provide 2 million meals per day and critical supplies. Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry reported over 31,000 Palestinian deaths, while Israel disputes these figures.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the challenges of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing lawlessness and desperation leading to looting by both criminal gangs and ordinary civilians. While Blinken did not mention Hamas's involvement in the looting, concerns have been raised about the terrorist group diverting aid meant for civilians. President Biden announced the U.S. military's plan to build a port in Gaza for aid delivery, expected to provide 2 million meals per day. Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry reported over 31,000 Palestinian deaths since Oct. 7, a figure disputed by Israel.