BELFAST (AP) – Bands of youths threw stones and fireworks at Belfast police who attacked with water cannons as violence erupted again in the streets of Northern Ireland.
Concern erupted last week amid tensions over post-Brexit trade rules and worsening relations between parts of the Protestant-Catholic government that shares power in Belfast.
The latest violence on Thursday night came despite appeals from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin and US President Joe Biden to ease tensions.
Police who had riot shields were shot dead with missiles before officers charged riot police with dogs. Police also used water cannons to disperse the crowds.
Earlier in the day, the Northern Ireland Assembly unanimously passed a motion calling for an end to the disorder and the region’s power-sharing government condemned the violence.
“While our political positions are very different on many issues, we are all united in our support for law and order and collectively express our support for the police and police officers who have been put in place. in danger to protect others, ”the leaders said. of the five-party government said in a joint statement.
“We and our departments will continue to work together to maximize the support we can give to communities and the (Northern Ireland Police Service) to prevent further violence and unrest.”
Northern Ireland has seen sporadic outbreaks of street violence since the 1998 Good Friday peace deal put an end to the “problems” of decades of Catholic-Protestant bloodshed over the state of the region in which they died. more than 3,000 people.
Britain’s secession from the EU has highlighted the state of dispute in Northern Ireland, where some people identify as British and want to remain part of the UK, while others consider themselves Irish and seek unity with the neighboring Republic of Ireland, a member of the EU.