Massive street brawl erupts between Iraqis, Lebanese in Brazil's Sao Paulo

A street brawl erupted between dozens of Iraqis and Lebanese expats living in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, according to local media reports on Wednesday.

Police estimated that around 80 people from both communities were involved in the altercation on the bustling 25 de Marco street, one of the main commercial centres in Brazil’s economic capital.

The street and some of the surrounding areas were subsequently cordoned off by police to prevent more individuals from arriving to join the fray. 

The altercation began following a trade dispute between members of two families, according to the report, when members of a Lebanese family visited a shop owned by an"es, and escalated over the next few days as more people got involved on either side.

Segundo apuração do UOL, a briga generalizada na região da 25 de Março foi motivada por um desentendimento envolvendo a venda de uma loja entre comerciantes libaneses e iraquianos pic.twitter.com/pspbW5xNOA

— UOL Notícias (@UOLNoticias) May 30, 2023

Several clips of the brawl have emerged on social media, where dozens of men can be seen fighting with each other. Some individuals can even be seen brandishing firearms and knives. 

Os cara dando tiro como se fosse arma de airsoft… a que nível chegamos?

Aparentemente uma briga entre libaneses e iraquianos (de acordo com os comentários) https://t.co/PIPp8wkNod

— Victor Gomes (@victor_nc_gomes) May 30, 2023

Brazil is home to an estimated 10 million Lebanese expatriates and their descendants, a population significantly larger than the six million who live in Lebanon itself. 

Around 300,000-400,000 Iraqis also live in the South American nation.