A teenager is in a critical condition following a stabbing incident in the vicinity of a contentious bonfire that was lit last night in the New Lodge area of Belfast.
The 18-year-old boy was stabbed in the back.
A 39-year-old man sustained stab wounds to his arm and hip in a separate incident, but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Two men, aged 21 and 28, were arrested this morning off the Oldpark Road.
Police say they are investigating a number of reported stabbings in the area near the bonfire and are aware of footage circulating on social media.
The PSNI was at the scene for a number of hours yesterday amid a stand-off after two people climbed to the top of the bonfire and refused to come down.
The bonfire was built to mark the anniversary of the introduction of internment in 1971.
Contractors were ordered to dismantle the bonfire, which was built on land owned by Northern Ireland's Department of Infrastructure.
A spokesperson said the illegal structure needed to be removed for the safety of local residents and the wider community, but "unfortunately this could not be achieved".
As the stand-off continued throughout much of yesterday afternoon, missiles and metal fencing was thrown at police.
At least three officers were injured during sporadic bouts of violence.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said that given the concerns that bystanders, including young children, could be hurt a decision was made to withdraw officers from the scene.
A number of people climbed on top of the bonfire as the police operation ended and vehicles were driven away under a hail of missiles.
The PSNI said six petrol bombs had been recovered and a 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of riotous and disorderly behaviour.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said in a tweet this morning that the police in Northern Ireland have "our full support in the face of this thuggery".
PSNI have our full support in the face of this thuggery. Communities don't want this chaos and violence in any part of Belfast. @PoliceServiceNI @RTENewsNow https://t.co/q3lAnDbd9I
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) August 9, 2019
