Poland-Belarus border: Violence erupts as Polish guards fire water cannon on migrants

"Today we have witnessed how the Polish security forces on the Belarusian-Polish border used special means containing toxic irritating chemicals against refugees, including women and children," Malyk mentioned. Women and youngsters who, only a day earlier than, had been camped out in tents close to the border fence had moved again, and males, lots of them voicing their anger about being left in limbo in terrible circumstances, had been amassing in probably the most dramatic clashes to this point. "We are fighting to stay alive," one man advised CNN.The Polish Border Guard mentioned Tuesday that migrants camped out close to the Bruzgi-Kuźnica checkpoint had been behaving "aggressively," throwing stones and numerous objects on the Polish providers. "In order to prevent illegal border crossing, water cannons were used against aggressive foreigners," the safety company mentioned on Twitter.

The spokesperson for Poland's safety providers, Stanisław Żaryn, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday in regards to the clashes, congratulating Polish forces for efficiently repelling the "first wave of attacks on the border."BelTA reported "an aggravation of the situation" on the border on Tuesday, as migrants strive "by all means to get to Poland" and Polish authorities reply with tear gasoline, stun grenades and water cannon, "pouring water on people in the cold.""People say they are tired of waiting and are ready to break through," in response to BeITA.

'We're going again to Iraq'

Anton Bychkovsky, a spokesman for Belarus's State Border Guard Committee, advised BelTA that the company was launching an investigation into the "incident" on Tuesday. It's unclear what sparked Tuesday's confrontations however there's a rising sense of frustration amongst migrants that Europe isn't welcoming them. They're now going through circumstances the United Nations has known as "catastrophic," affected by starvation and hypothermia camped out in flimsy tents in makeshift camps on the border.Rumors have been swirling over the previous 48 hours within the camps that the Polish authorities may open the border and permit a humanitarian hall by way of to Germany. Poland has adamantly denied this and other people amassed within the space have obtained textual content messages from Polish authorities saying the knowledge was a "total lie and nonsense."The SMS message, additionally obtained by members of the CNN crew within the space, reads partially: "Poland won't let migrants pass to Germany. It will protect its border. Don't get fooled, don't try to take any action."Polish forces appeared to have dispersed crowds from the border checkpoint as night time fell on Tuesday, with some returning to a camp within the woods whereas different weak individuals had been being taken indoors.Belarus's border company advised CNN that some migrants -- together with ladies, youngsters and people with medical circumstances -- had been being moved 1.5 kilometers to a processing heart, the place they are going to obtain shelter, meals and medical remedy. Officials additionally advised CNN a choice shall be made on whether or not to deport them again to their dwelling international locations. Most of these gathered on the border are from the Middle East and Asia. Families may very well be seen strolling away from the scene of clashes, with exhausted youngsters in tow, some carried aloft on their dad or mum's shoulders. Asked by CNN the place he was going, one man mentioned: "Back to Iraq. Goodbye Belarus." BelTA additionally reported on Tuesday night time that Lukashenko had instructed the native governor of Grodno to assist put together a logistical heart to obtain refugees.

Lukashenko placing migrants lives 'in danger'

President Alexander Lukashenko's authorities has repeatedly denied such claims, as an alternative blaming the West for the crossings and accusing it of poor remedy of migrants.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday mentioned the army alliance is "deeply concerned about the way the Lukashenko regime is using vulnerable migrants as a hybrid tactic against other countries, and this is actually putting the life of the migrants at risk."He was talking forward of a gathering with EU protection ministers on Tuesday, and a day after warning Moscow that NATO would assist Ukraine towards "potential aggressive actions" amid a big focus of Russian troops close to Ukraine's borders. Ukraine isn't a member of NATO or the EU.The army strikes proceed to check a fragile political order within the area and deepen issues over the potential for a wider geopolitical disaster.Lukashenko spoke Tuesday with ally Russian President Vladimir Putin in regards to the scenario on Belarus' border, days after the 2 international locations flexed their army may close to Poland in joint paratrooper drills.The leaders additionally mentioned the scenario in neighboring Ukraine and US-led workouts close to Russia's borders and within the Black Sea, Lukashenko's workplace mentioned.

Russia, Belarus' largest political and financial companion, continues to defend Minsk's dealing with of the border disaster whereas additionally denying any involvement in it. The EU and NATO have restated their assist for Poland. The EU's Foreign Affairs Chief, Josep Borrell has known as on Belarus to take "urgent action" to make sure the restoration of safety on the border. Jakub Kumoch, the pinnacle of the Polish President's International Policy Bureau, mentioned in an announcement on Tuesday night time that any new sanctions on Belarus needs to be "lasting" and "touch as many people as possible responsible for leading to this tragedy."