THE HAGUE: Rival gangs of Eritreans engaged in running skirmishes in The Hague early on Sunday, setting fire to police cars and hurling rocks, inflicting injuries on at least four police officers.
The rioters, who the police claimed were pro- and anti-Eritrean factions of the government attending an event in The Hague, were attacked with tear gas by special police units.
Stones, fireworks, and other objects were hurled at law enforcement and the fire department during the disturbances. Numerous rioters were armed and may strike people, according to authorities.
Two police vehicles and an excursion bus were set on fire by the rioters. Two officers suffered hand injuries during the disruptions, and another officer’s teeth were injured. In the confusion, a police car struck a fourth.
The far-right figurehead Geert Wilders shared pictures of disturbances along with the message “arrest and deport.”
Police Commander Marielle van Vulpen said, “Our colleagues encountered with extreme and serious violence out of the blue.” As they look into the rioting, police made a number of arrests and requested witnesses and video.
The mayor of the city, Jan van Zanen, stated, “The violence used towards police officers and apparatus is appalling and unacceptable.”
Far-right anti-immigration activist Geert Wilders shared pictures of the protests on social media along with the bold words, “Arrest and Deport.”
“The Netherlands has really had it up to here with this,” he commented on X, the previous Twitter platform. “Why is it acceptable for half of the world to come here and destroy our nation, engage in violence, hurl stones at law enforcement, and set their vehicles on fire?” “I aspire to be the prime minister who ultimately establishes some order in this,” continued Wilders, who emerged victorious in November polls but is having difficulty assembling a coalition.
SOURCE: DAWN NEWS
