Riot police in Portugal moved early Sunday to disperse protest camps in Lisbon and Porto amid ongoing demonstrations over the country’s housing crisis. Authorities deployed officers equipped with dogs to clear encampments in Lisbon’s Rossio Square and Porto’s Dom Joao I Square around 4:30 a.m.

The operation resulted in clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators. Police used batons to push back protesters, leading to injuries on both sides. Authorities detained 13 individuals during the interventions.

Protesters accused the government of authoritarianism, chanting slogans including “smells like a dictatorship” as their makeshift camps were dismantled. Meanwhile, police reported that some demonstrators threw bottles and paint at officers, prompting a forceful response.

The demonstrations reflect mounting frustration over Portugal’s housing situation, which has seen rising costs and shortages prompting increased public mobilization. Officials emphasized the need to maintain public order while protesters insist their actions highlight critical social grievances.

This latest confrontation underscores the ongoing tensions between authorities and housing activists as efforts to address the crisis continue.