Nearly 50 people were detained and dozens injured as rival groups clashed during anti-government protests in Serbia. Violence erupted in Novi Sad when ruling party supporters attacked demonstrators with flares,

Months of anti-government rallies in Serbia lapsed into violence again as supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic clashed with his opponents in three of the Balkan country’s biggest cities.

Vucic stated that in Novi Sad alone, preliminary reports indicate 64 locals and about 15 police officers were injured. The Tanjug news agency reported that Vucic emphasized the need to prevent a “civil war” and “clear” the streets of Belgrade and Novi Sad of “hooligans and murderers.