The Northern Irish police used water cannons on Wednesday evening to disperse protesters gathered near Belfast, a day after anti-immigration riots shook the capital of Northern Ireland, leading to house fires, car burnings, and bus torchings.
According to AFP, over a hundred people gathered at various points in Belfast. While some demonstrations were peaceful, the situation escalated in the Sandyknowes area, a significant intersection north of the city, where participants threw various objects at law enforcement.
"Crowds gathered and various objects were thrown at the officers," the police reported, urging drivers to avoid the area.
Footage aired by Sky News captured masked individuals hurling what appeared to be bricks at the police.
Tension in the city and heightened security measures
In other parts of the city, peaceful gatherings took place. According to BBC, over 100 people gathered at Stormont, the seat of the Northern Irish Parliament.
However, the atmosphere remained tense. Numerous shops and restaurants remained closed, and the streets of central Belfast appeared almost deserted. Islamophobic graffiti appeared on buildings and shop shutters.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, labeling it as "shocking and completely unacceptable." The police announced that reinforcements from other regions of the country would be deployed starting Thursday.
Three arrests have been made so far, and authorities have indicated that more are to follow.
Riots sparked by a knife attack
Protests erupted following a knife attack on Monday evening in Belfast. The victim, Stephen Ogilvie, a man around 40 years old, sustained severe injuries and lost an eye. His family appealed for calm.
On Tuesday evening, the protests turned into riots. Masked protesters set fire to buses, cars, and homes, and firefighters had to evacuate several residents.
On Wednesday, the attacker, Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, appeared before a Belfast court. Charged, among other things, with attempted murder, he is in custody until the next hearing scheduled for July 8.
According to the British Home Office, the man arrived in Northern Ireland in 2023 and holds refugee status, with permission to stay until 2028. The police stated that, at this stage of the investigation, there is no evidence to support a terrorist motive.
Social media and the far right at the center of criticism
Authorities have accused social media of fueling tensions, and Northern Irish Justice Minister Naomi Long denounced the "racism" behind the violence.
The police also warned that sharing the addresses of foreign citizens online could constitute a crime.
According to AFP, calls for protests were taken up and promoted by figures from the far right, including activist Tommy Robinson, as well as Elon Musk. Simultaneously, representatives of anti-immigration groups used the incidents to criticize the UK government's migration policies.
Violence and protests have been reported in recent days in other cities, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Southampton, indicating that the tensions sparked by the Belfast attack extend beyond Northern Ireland's borders.