UMVA has learned that a wave of violent unrest has gripped Belfast, with homes and businesses targeted in what appears to be a coordinated attack.
The trouble began after a man was left with serious injuries in a knife attack on Kinnaird Road in north Belfast. A 30-year-old Sudanese national was arrested and later charged with attempted murder, possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place, and making threats to kill.
Footage of the attack has sparked widespread unrest, with a police Land Rover attacked on the Crumlin Road and a Glider bus set on fire on Newtownards Road. Several fires broke out, and crowds confronted police in a night of chaos.
One of the businesses targeted was the Sham Supermarket on the Donegall Road in south Belfast, which supplies a wide range of products, including Middle Eastern foods. The store's owner, Abdelkadar, was left to survey the damage after the shop was burnt on Saturday and again on Monday night.
The interior of the shop was a complete loss, with flames causing extensive damage. The owner was sitting outside the property, reeling from the impact of the violence on his business.
Across the city, residents were affected by the riots, with one local, Jamie Corry, confronting rioters before they lit his car on fire. He described the moment he realized his property was under attack and the devastating aftermath.
“It’s destroyed, top to bottom, it’s completely destroyed,” he said, describing the damage to his home. The community is left to pick up the pieces after a night of violence and destruction.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the violence has left many feeling fearful and vulnerable, with concerns about the safety of their homes and businesses.
