Story highlights Minority groups attacked in Cologne following reports of mob sex assaults, police say

Germany is reeling after sex attacks reported on women on New Year's Eve

Right-wing groups link attacks to influx of migrants from Muslim countries into Europe

(CNN) Gangs of men have attacked and injured two Pakistanis and a Syrian man in Cologne, Germany, in the aftermath of an unprecedented wave of mob sex assaults on women in the city on New Year's Eve.

Cologne police said a gang of 20 men attacked at least six Pakistani nationals Sunday, with two of the victims hospitalized. Five men later attacked and injured a man of Syrian descent, police said.

Two men have been detained following the assaults on the men, which occurred as Germany grapples with the New Year's Eve attacks on women in Cologne.

Large numbers of women reported being sexually assaulted or robbed by gangs of men of Arab or North African appearance during New Year's celebrations in the city center, with some victims saying they feared for their lives.

The reported assaults have sparked fierce public debate about the wisdom of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's liberal policies toward migrants and have unleashed a wave of anger toward authorities for their response to the attacks.