Violent clashes broke out between supporters and opponents of the Eritrean government in the Dutch city of The Hague; resulting in the injury of four police officers and damage to property, according to the police today, Sunday.

Police and emergency services personnel were pelted with stones and fireworks, while the two opposing groups clashed at an event center in The Hague.

Two police vehicles and a bus were set on fire, and other vehicles were significantly damaged. The center where the pro-government group held a meeting was also damaged.

Heat and smoke affected the participants in the meeting.

Riot police used tear gas to suppress the riots that erupted when a group opposing the government of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki arrived.

The mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen, condemned the violence and imposed a state of emergency in the area.

Police chief Marielle van Wolferen said, "Our men were suddenly exposed to very serious violence."

She added: "It is unfortunate that police officers and emergency service personnel were attacked. This is unacceptable."

She added that investigations are ongoing.

Recently, violence erupted during gatherings of Eritreans in Germany and other countries, where clashes broke out between supporters and opponents of the dictatorship government in the country located in the Horn of Africa.

Last summer, 26 police officers were injured during riots at an Eritrean festival in Giessen near Frankfurt in Germany.

Just a few weeks later, 50 people were injured at a festival organized by Eritreans in Stockholm, Sweden. In Tel Aviv, dozens were injured last September when protests by opponents of the Eritrean government against an event at the country's embassy turned violent.

Eritrea, which has a population of about 3 million, is located in northeast Africa on the Red Sea and is largely internationally isolated.

President Isaias Afwerki has ruled the country since it gained independence about 30 years ago. Political parties are banned in Eritrea, freedom of expression and the press is severely restricted, and there is no parliament, independent courts, or civil society organizations.