29 injured in clashes in Northern Ireland

At least 29 police officers were injured in fresh clashes between Protestants and Catholic nationalists on the streets of Northern Ireland's capital Belfast, police said on January 12, reported THX/AFP.

Clashes broke out as a group of Protestant youths walked through Short Strand, a Catholic area in east Belfast, after holding a rally outside the town hall to protest against the removal of the Union Jack.

Several buses were burned during the riots. (Source: AFP)

Police used water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse Catholics and Protestants who were throwing rocks, bottles and fireworks. Police Chief Matt Baggott of Northern Ireland said 29 officers were injured in the incident.

This new wave of violence followed weeks of Protestant riots following a decision by Belfast City Council on 3 December 2012 to limit the number of days the Union Jack can be flown.

Northern Ireland has endured three decades of conflict between Protestants who support Northern Ireland joining the UK, and Catholics who want Northern Ireland to be part of the Republic of Ireland.

The conflict claimed the lives of some 3,600 people in Northern Ireland, before a peace deal was signed in 1998./.

According to (Vietnam+) - DT