On Monday evening, a series of violent riots erupted in the Nieuw-West suburb of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, as protesters wreaked havoc on public infrastructure. This unrest follows a recently declared state of emergency in the city due to the violence that marred the football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv last Thursday.

According to local news reports, a tram was set ablaze, and several vehicles were damaged by stones thrown by rioters. Fortunately, the fire was quickly extinguished by emergency services, and riot police were deployed to disperse the crowd. However, the origins of this latest unrest remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether it is directly linked to the events of the previous week. Nevertheless, law enforcement officials have noted a heightened level of tension in the area, particularly after five individuals required hospitalization and numerous arrests were made following the chaotic scene surrounding the Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv match.

Amsterdam’s mayor reported that groups of youths, some on scooters and others on foot, actively sought out Israeli fans, subjecting them to physical assaults before fleeing from police intervention. Online footage of the violence depicted a chaotic scene with numerous individuals brandishing sticks and firecrackers, causing extensive damage to property and igniting firecrackers in the streets.

New Arrests Made

In a related development, the Dutch police announced on Monday that five additional arrests had been made as part of their investigation into the previous week’s violence. The suspects, aged between 18 and 37, are residents of Amsterdam and its surrounding areas. Four of the suspects remain in custody, while the fifth has been released but is still considered a suspect in the ongoing investigation.

Earlier, law enforcement confirmed that four other men arrested last week will stay in custody as inquiries continue. Among these, two are minors: a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Amsterdam. The other two suspects are adults from the city and a nearby locality.

Authorities have reported that they have identified over 170 witnesses and collected forensic evidence from many locations. In response to the escalating unrest, the mayor of Amsterdam has implemented a ban on all demonstrations within the city and designated several areas as risk zones, granting police the authority to stop and check individuals as necessary.

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