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BELFAST, Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland suffered its second straight night of violence, as pro-British Unionists rioted over new Brexit trade restrictions with Britain.
In communities near Belfast, cars were set on fire and police vans had petrol bombs tossed at them.
Following Britain’s carrying out of Brexit, Northern Ireland has established trade barriers with Britain. However, many pro-British Unionists fiercely oppose the restrictions, taking to the streets in protest.
While political leaders have appealed for calm, riots occurred on Saturday night for the second night in Newtownabbey, on the northern end of Belfast.
Also, some 15 police officers in the Sandy Row area of Belfast were reported injured and required treatment in area hospitals.
Police reported that attackers confronted police with masonry, metal rods, fireworks and manhole covers.
Seven people have been arrested, including two as young as 13 and 14 years.
Also, rioting in Londonerry on Friday resulted in 12 officers being injured.
Some 23 years after a peace agreement ended decades of violence, Northern Ireland remains deeply split between Catholics seeking unification with Ireland and pro-British Protestants.
