Clashes have broken out in a number of cities in Turkey between police and demonstrators celebrating the Kurdish spring festival.
Clashes have broken out in a number of cities in Turkey between police and demonstrators celebrating the Kurdish spring festival.
Dozens of people were hurt and scores arrested in the protests, media said.
Dozens of people were hurt and scores arrested in the protests, media said.
In the worst violence, police used tear gas and water cannon in Van against protesters chanting slogans in support of the banned PKK Kurdish rebel group.
In the worst violence, police used tear gas and water cannon in Van against protesters chanting slogans in support of the banned PKK Kurdish rebel group.
The unrest follows last month's incursion by Turkey's army into northern Iraq to target the PKK.
The unrest follows last month's incursion by Turkey's army into northern Iraq to target the PKK.
Molotov cocktails
Molotov cocktails
Television footage showed police using riot shields to fend off rocks thrown by protesters marking the Nowruz festival in Van.
Television footage showed police using riot shields to fend off rocks thrown by protesters marking the Nowruz festival in Van.
Demonstrators set up barricades and lit fires in the streets.
Demonstrators set up barricades and lit fires in the streets.
Police later fired tear gas and beat demonstrators with batons.
Police later fired tear gas and beat demonstrators with batons.
Clashes, arrests and injuries were also reported in the south-eastern cities of Hakkari and Siirt.
Clashes, arrests and injuries were also reported in the south-eastern cities of Hakkari and Siirt.
On Friday, protesters shouted the name of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan during Nowruz celebrations in Diyarbakir, but police did not intervene.
On Friday, protesters shouted the name of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan during Nowruz celebrations in Diyarbakir, but police did not intervene.
Molotov cocktails were thrown during protests on Friday in Viransehir.
Molotov cocktails were thrown during protests on Friday in Viransehir.
Unrest was also reported among Kurdish communities in western Turkey, including in Mersin and Izmir.
Unrest was also reported among Kurdish communities in western Turkey, including in Mersin and Izmir.
Turkey said its week-long offensive in northern Iraq last month targeted bases used by up to 3,000 Kurdish rebels as a springboard for attacks across the border.
Turkey said its week-long offensive in northern Iraq last month targeted bases used by up to 3,000 Kurdish rebels as a springboard for attacks across the border.
The Turkish military said more than 200 PKK militants and about 30 members of the Turkish security forces had died.
The Turkish military said more than 200 PKK militants and about 30 members of the Turkish security forces had died.
The PKK is branded a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and EU.
The PKK is branded a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and EU.
More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began its armed campaign in 1984.
More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began its armed campaign in 1984.
Are you in the area? Are you or someone you know affected by the protests? Send your comments using the form below.
