A large-scale fight broke out on Thursday evening in Antwerp, Belgium. Several people were stabbed and two of the victims are reported to be in critical condition.
The demonstration outside the opera house, which began peacefully with around 50 participants, was held in support of Kurds in northern Syria. National flags as well as flags of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party were waved.
Shortly after the demonstration ended, the situation escalated. According to Orhan Kilic, spokesperson for Navbel—an organization representing the Kurdish diaspora in Belgium—the Kurdish demonstrators were attacked by a group of men.
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“These men had sneaked into the demonstration and suddenly pulled out knives, randomly stabbing people,” Kilic told The Guardian, adding that families, women, youths, and children participated in the protest.
#BREAKING: Mulitple Kurdish protesters stabbed in the Belgian city of Antwerp this evening as a knifeman attacked the crowd.
Early reports of 7 injured, 2 with life-threatening injuries. pic.twitter.com/quQnaDfHQ8
— Tommy Robinson 1ec 1e7 (@TRobinsonNewEra) January 22, 2026
“It is clear that this attack is not an isolated case of senseless violence, but a targeted attack against a group.”
A total of six people were injured. Two of the victims were in critical condition at the hospital and two suspects have been arrested. According to police, the incident is being investigated as attempted murder and not as terrorism.
1e7 1ea 6a8 Six people have been stabbed at a Kurdish rally in Antwerp, two of whom are in a serious condition in hospital.
Four suspects have been arrested, and an investigation into attempted murder has been opened.
NavBel, the council of Kurdish communities in Belgium, said the a0 a0pic.twitter.com/neW31KQrlf
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) January 22, 2026