The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has confirmed that it has had to rehouse 165 families who have been intimidated out of their Shankill and lower Oldpark homes as a result of the continuing loyalist feud.
The feud between supporters of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) continued unabated on Wednesday night, when a device was thrown in the direction of a crowd of around 150 people, mainly UDA supporters, in the lower Shankill area.
A crude nail-bomb made from a firework was thrown at a taxi depot in Ballysillan. In an apparent revenge attack, blamed on the UVF, a volley of shots was fired in nearby Boundary Way.
The Minister for Social Development, Mr Maurice Morrow, yesterday condemned the attacks and intimidation in the Shankill area and assured people affected that they would be treated as "top priority" cases by the Housing Executive.
"My Department is monitoring the situation on an hourly basis to enable us to respond to any new situations which may arise. Housing staff have responded with dedication and professionalism in sometimes hazardous and difficult situations.
"The [Housing] Executive have advised me that they are bringing in extra staff to deal with the ongoing problems. Ultimately the solution to the problems they face is for these attacks to stop," the Minister added.
People on the Shankill yesterday alleged that UFF supporters had turned them away from a local health centre, as well as from shops, schools and government offices.
Accusations and counter-accusations were flying between the political representatives of the feuding loyalist groups. Mr David Ervine, the chief spokesman of the Progressive Unionist Party, which represents the UVF, claimed the UDA was staging "an orchestrated campaign to turn people into displaced persons" and said the UVF would not stoop to the same level.
Speaking for the Ulster Democratic Party, the political wing of the UDA, Mr John White claimed it was "UVF bully-boys" who were throwing men, women and children out of their homes.