A number of RUC officers have been injured in north Belfast this evening while policing clashes between loyalist and republican crowds. Shots are reported to have been fired in the Short Strand area of the city.
The violence erupted after teatime and has seen stones, bottles, bricks, fireworks, petrol and acid bombs being thrown at the RUC.
The clashes occurred at the junctions between Limestone Road, Duncairn Gardens and the Hallidays Road areas.
The RUC have put in place a "buffer zone" on North Queen Street.
Tonight, the situation is reported to be tense and motorists are advised to stay away from these areas.
This evening's violence follows petrol bomb attacks on a row of homes in the nationalist Short Strand area of Belfast last night.
The devices were thrown from across an interface on the loyalist lower Newtownards Road.
Local residents said the bungalows, some of which are occupied by pensioners, were stoned by Loyalists following Orange Order parades on July 12th.
The RUC said more than 100 officers were injured in last week's rioting.
