Masked groups in black surged through Belfast on Wednesday night, hurling bricks, fireworks and Molotov cocktails at police. The Police Federation of Northern Ireland’s Liam Kelly denounced the rioters as “violent racist and fascist lawbreakers,” while authorities deployed water cannons and rubber bullets – tactics rarely seen outside the region .

Water cannons and rubber bullets deployed for first time since 2015 ban

Police responded to the intensified violence with water cannons and rubber bullets, a response that is unusual in the United Kingdom. Former Prime Minister Theresa May banned the use of water cannons elsewhere in the UK in 2015, citing injury risks, making their deployment in Northern Ireland a notable escalation.

According to the report, armored vehicles backed the police lines, and the crowd‑control methods lasted well into the night, marking a stark contrast to the “lackluster response” the previous evening.

Liam Kelly brands rioters as ‘violent racist and fascist lawbreakers’

Police Federation of Northern Ireland Chairman Liam Kelly called the masked crowds “violent racist and fascist lawbreakers” and “bullies,” adding that they offered “nothing but hopelessness and mindless thuggery.” His condemnation reflects growing frustration within law‑enforcement circles as the riots disrupted daily life.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson echoed the sentiment, pleading for calm and emphasizing that children need safe routes to school and businesses need to reopen.

London sends 200 officers, still short of promised 7,500

In response to the surge, London dispatched an additional 200 officers, yet officials noted the force remains far below the 7,500 officers pledged for the region. The shortfall underscores logistical challenges in scaling up security for prolonged unrest.

Reports indicate that while the police dismantled poorly manned roadblocks, the rioters operated in swift, small groups, striking at “politically relevant targets” before melting away.

Social media blamed for coordinating attacks

Henderson placed part of the blame on social‑media platforms, alleging that “toxic and vile” commentary was encouraging disorder. He said investigations are underway into cotent that may be inciting violence.

As the police investigate, they have found no concrete evidence linking loyalist paramilitaries to the coordination, despite early speculation that loyalist Protestant groups were behind the unerst.

Who is orchestrating the masked crowds?

The identity of the organizers remains unclear. Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson claimed loyalist groups oppose the rioting, while the Democratic Unionist Party condemned the violence but shifted focus to immigration debates.. The lack of a definitive orchestrator leaves authorities scrambling for leads.

According to the source, the attempted beheading of a local by a Sudanese immigrant and a prior stabbing by a Sikh individual have heightened ethnic tensions, fueling the volatile atmosphere .