Northern Ireland’s Troubles a part of Belfast’s landscape (PHOTOS)
Once threatening symbols of paramilitary control, Belfast’s murals are now a tourist attraction.
Two nights in a row of riots in Belfast, Northern Ireland — the most intense such violence in several years — are largely being blamed by authorities on members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), the Guardian and other news outlets report. In 1994 the UVF and other Protestant paramilitary groups, including the Ulster Defense Association (UDA), agreed to a cease-fire declared by the IRA. However, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “disagreement within the UVF over the cease-fire led to a split in the organization and the formation of the Loyalist Volunteer Force, which began its own campaign of violence. In May 2007 the UVF renounced violence and pledged to end its armed campaign.” (Kristian Hildonen)
During two nights of sectarian rioting in Belfast, Northern Ireland, hundreds of masked youths hurled bricks, bottles and gasoline bombs. Three people were left with gunshot wounds.
Catholic and Protestants rioters threw rocks, fireworks and petrol bombs, and a press photographer was shot in the leg.
Northern Ireland police believe the loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force instigated the violence.
GlobalPost's Conor O'Clery writes that the sudden eruption of street riots in Belfast has shocked those who thought Northern Ireland had entered a new era of peace and reconciliation.
Kristian Hildonen took these photos of murals in Northern Ireland during a visit in March.
The AP filed this video report on the latest violence.