Northern Ireland Minister Hilary Benn has accused unnamed individuals online of fueling the recent unrest in Belfast. The accusations come after two days of escalating protests sparked by a stabbing incident allegedly committed by a Sudanese immigrant. On Wednesday evening, police deployed water cannons against approximately 300 demonstrators in the city. Protesters have reportedly thrown bricks and petrol bombs, resulting in fires set to several homes and vehicles. When questioned about the potential for racism driving the violence, Benn responded by asking how else to characterize the situation. The ongoing disturbances are raising concerns about sectarian tensions and the role of online actors in exacerbating the conflict.