Tensions in Northern Ireland: A knife attack sparks protests and clashes in the streets

2026-06-10 07:40:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Tensions in Northern Ireland: A knife attack sparks protests and clashes in the

Anti-immigration protests have spread to parts of the United Kingdom after a 30-year-old man, believed to be from Sudan, was charged with attempted murder following a knife attack in Northern Ireland.

On Tuesday evening, crowds of masked protesters took to the streets of Belfast, setting houses, a bus, cars and barricades on fire. Similar incidents were also reported in the towns of Newtownabbey and Kilkeel, where vehicles were torched.

Protests also took place in other British cities, including London, Glasgow and Bangor. In London, far-right protesters clashed with police and chanted anti-immigration slogans.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the knife attack as "horrific" and "shocking", while saying he would not tolerate violence on the country's streets.

What happened in Belfast?
According to police, a man in his 40s was attacked with a knife on Monday night in the Canard Avenue area of ??north Belfast. The victim suffered serious injuries to his eye, back and face and remains in a serious condition in hospital.

A kitchen knife was found at the scene. Police arrested a man believed to be from Sudan and charged him with: attempted murder, possession of a bladed weapon in a public place and making threats to kill.

According to authorities, the suspect entered Northern Ireland in February 2023 after travelling from Paris to Dublin and claiming asylum. He was allowed to remain legally in the UK until 2028.

Police said there is no evidence yet that the attack is related to terrorism.

Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, condemned the violence and said masked groups were "driving families out of their homes and burning them down".

Northern Ireland's Justice Minister, Naomi Long, criticized the protesters, saying some of them are determined to cause destruction in the communities they claim to be protecting.

The incident comes at a time of heightened racial tensions and heated debates over immigration in Britain. On social media, far-right figures and anti-immigration accounts have used the video of the attack to fuel protests and public anger.

Authorities have called for calm and peaceful protests, warning that violence and attacks on innocent communities will not be tolerated. /CNA