UMVA has learned that violent riots broke out in Belfast on Tuesday night, sparked by calls to protest from far-right groups circulating on social media.
The unrest led to widespread destruction, with houses and cars set on fire, including a Glider bus in the east of the city, forcing public transport services to be suspended.
According to information obtained by UMVA, several areas of Belfast were affected, with multiple incidents reported in the Lendrick Street and Ligoniel Road areas, where residents had to be rescued from burning homes.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) reported a chaotic evening, with 256 calls received between 7pm and midnight, resulting in attendance at 62 incidents, mostly in the Greater Belfast Area.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the violence was a response to a brutal knife attack that occurred on Monday night, which police have described as a horrific and unprovoked assault.
The PSNI has launched a critical incident investigation, and detectives have stated that there is no indication that Monday's knife attack was terror-related.
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill condemned the violence, describing it as "outright thuggery" and "disgusting cowardice," while Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn also denounced the destruction.
The PSNI and partner agencies worked throughout the night to respond to incidents and keep people safe, with Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson praising their efforts.
The suspect in the knife attack, who entered Northern Ireland from the Irish border in February 2023, had claimed asylum and been granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.
