BELFAST — Anti-immigrant unrest flared again in parts of Belfast as protesters clashed with police for a second night following a stabbing attack in north Belfast earlier this week, authorities said.
Masked men set fires to homes believed to house immigrants, torched vehicles including a bus and pelted officers with rocks and other objects on Tuesday night into Wednesday, June 10-11, 2026, police reported. The violence followed a brutal knife attack on June 8 that left a local man seriously injured.
Police Service of Northern Ireland officers used water cannons to disperse crowds amid the disorder, which spread to several areas. At least two officers were injured, according to officials. The unrest displaced around 27 people after homes were targeted.
A 30-year-old Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, who had leave to remain in the UK, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder, threatening to kill and possessing a knife. The victim, Stephen Ogilvie, 44, suffered serious injuries including the loss of an eye.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill condemned the violence, describing it as thuggery. The family of the stabbing victim also appealed for calm.
"Completely unacceptable," O'Neill stated regarding the attacks on communities.
The stabbing incident, captured on video and widely shared online, prompted far-right activists to call for protests. Police initially misidentified the suspect's nationality before correcting it. UK leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, described the original attack as sickening and urged restraint.
The unrest reflects broader tensions over immigration in parts of the United Kingdom. Officials have linked some of the disorder to anti-migrant sentiment, while community leaders emphasized that the violence targeted innocent residents.
As of Thursday, police maintained a heavy presence in affected neighborhoods. Investigations into the riots continue, with additional arrests possible. Authorities are monitoring the situation for further protests. Local services are assisting those displaced by the fires.
