A violent riot erupted on the streets of the Hague this evening, as ‘migrants’ attacked cops with bricks and torched police cars.
Dozens of rioters were filmed surrounding the Opera conference hall along Fruitweg in the Netherlands, as multiple police vans drove to the scene this evening.
Another clip also showed the aftermath. Buildings had several smashed windows and parked vehicles were on fire.
A fight broke out between two groups of Eritreans. ‘It got seriously out of hand,’ The Hague Municipality spokesman Robin Middel said.
Middel said a group loyal to Eritrea’s government was holding a meeting when the venue was attacked by Eritreans who oppose the African nation’s government.
Shards of glass covered the streets and smoke from the tear gas could be seen seeping into the air, as coppers had their cars pelted by bricks, bikes and traffic signs.
Officers dressed in riot gear barricaded the entrance to the building and dealt with a fire that had broken out inside. They removed what appeared to be a fuel canister from the property.
Youths were dressed in hoods and some covered their faces with scarves and balaclavas.
Netherlands-based journalist Owen O’Brien shared the footage on X and wrote: ‘Rioters break into an entrance at the #Opera.
‘Windows are broken and attempts are made to enter. The fire brigade has also left again and cannot extinguish the fire.’
The reporter said the Opera hall had suffered ‘extensive damage’ because of the violent riots.
Jan van Zanen, mayor of The Hague, authorised police to use tear gas, a spokesman told the Netherlands Times.
The mayor also issued an emergency order for the area around Fruitweg, a spokesperson for the municipality of The Hague said.
Police Unit The Hague posted on X: ‘At #Fruitweg in #DenHaag a confrontation between two groups of Eritreans resulted in a fight.
‘Stones were thrown. We act with the riot police, among others, to restore public order.’
Multiple cars that were torched were left charred as emergency services were able to put out the fires.
Police spokeswoman Kristianne van Blanken said she could not immediately say if anybody was injured or if any rioters were arrested.
The fighting is the latest outbreak of violence at Eritrean events in Europe.
Dozens of people, including at least 26 police officers, were injured during unrest surrounding an Eritrean cultural festival in the southwestern German city of Stuttgart in September 2023.
A fight the same month between Eritrean government supporters and opponents in Tel Aviv led to violent street confrontations among African asylum-seekers and migrants.
Months earlier, a clash at an Eritrean festival in the western German city of Giessen left 22 police officers injured.
Tens of thousands of people have fled Eritrea for Europe, many alleging they were mistreated by the repressive government of President Isaias Afwerki.
The conflicts underscore deep divisions among members of the Eritrean diaspora between those who remain close to the government and those who have fled to live in exile and strongly oppose Isaias.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
