Clashes between Eritrean government supporters and opponents at a cultural festival in Germany has left dozens injured, including at least 26 police officers.

Violence flared shortly before the event was due to begin in Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon.

Around 200 protesters gathered and began throwing stones, bottles and other missiles at police and those taking part.

Six of the injured officers needed hospital treatment.

The confrontation was the latest unrest to mar Eritrean cultural events in Germany and elsewhere.

In July, a clash at an Eritrean festival in the western German city of Giessen left 22 police officers injured.

Earlier this month, there was rioting in Tel Aviv after demonstrators were stopped from reaching the Eritrean embassy.

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The event in Stuttgart was organised by several groups considered close to the government of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki.

Tens of thousands of people have fled Eritrea for Europe, with many claiming they were mistreated by the repressive regime.

The conflicts surrounding gatherings like Saturday’s underline the deep divide among immigrants from the northeast African nation – those who remain close to the government and those who have fled to live in exile and strongly oppose Mr Isaias.

In the wake of the disorder, Stuttgart police vice-president Carsten Hoefler condemned the protesters’ actions and said in a statement that “neither the extent nor the intensity of the violence was apparent in advance”.

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City officials said there had been no reason to ban the festival in advance, but they would take steps to prevent similar unrest in the future.

“We must take decisive action against the emergence of conflicts from other states on German soil,” said Stuttgart mayor Frank Nopper.

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