ROME (AP) – Migrants in a Rome piazza threw rocks, bottles and gas cans at police in riot gear who were using water jets to clear out about 100 mostly Ethiopian and Eritrean asylum-seekers early Thursday as part of a security operation criticized by humanitarian groups.
Police say at least two people were detained, and 13 were injured.
The dawn piazza operation comes days after authorities cleared most out of the 800 migrants, primarily asylum-seekers, who had been squatting in a nearby building since 2013.
Police said in a statement the operation was necessary because the migrants remaining in the piazza had refused to accept city-organized lodging and because of the risk of cooking gas canisters and other flammable materials.
Authorities have said such raids to clear migrants from buildings and squares, at least four since July in Rome, are part of anti-terrorism measures.