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Turkish police fire gas at protest against southeast curfews

A masked man throws a petrol bomb toward police who used water cannons and teargas to disperse people protesting against security operations against Kurdish rebels in southeastern Turkey, in Istanbul, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015. Security forces have killed more than 100 Kurdish rebels in last four days in southeast Turkey, news agencies' reports say. The government imposed curfews in the mainly Kurdish towns of Cizre and Silopi as the security forces battle militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK who have moved their fight for autonomy to some towns and city neighborhoods.(AP Photo/Omer Kuscu)
A masked man throws a petrol bomb toward police who used water cannons and teargas to disperse people protesting against security operations against Kurdish rebels in southeastern Turkey, in Istanbul, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015. Security forces have killed more than 100 Kurdish rebels in last four days in southeast Turkey, news agencies' reports say. The government imposed curfews in the mainly Kurdish towns of Cizre and Silopi as the security forces battle militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK who have moved their fight for autonomy to some towns and city neighborhoods.(AP Photo/Omer Kuscu) A masked man throws a petrol bomb toward police who used water cannons and teargas to disperse people protesting against security operations against Kurdish rebels in southeastern Turkey, in Istanbul, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015. Security forces have killed more than 100 Kurdish rebels in last four days in southeast Turkey, news agencies' reports say. The government imposed curfews in the mainly Kurdish towns of Cizre and Silopi as the security forces battle militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK who have moved their fight for autonomy to some towns and city neighborhoods.(AP Photo/Omer Kuscu)

By Associated Press 2 min read

ISTANBUL (AP) – Turkish police fired tear gas and water cannons in Istanbul on Sunday to disperse hundreds of protesters calling for an end to curfews in the southeast, where the military has ramped up operations against Kurdish militants.

Some of the protesters threw firebombs at security forces, who responded with tear gas. A water cannon truck raced up and down Istiklal Street, a bustling commercial artery, firing short bursts at the protesters.

Protesters and stunned tourists used lemons and soft drinks to neutralize the effects of the tear gas. Riot police chased protesters down small side streets and made arrests as helicopters flew overhead. Witnesses said stone-throwing teens clashed with police in the adjacent neighborhood of Tarlabasi, a hub for Kurdish immigrants from southeastern Turkey.

In Diyarbakir, the symbolic capital of the Kurdish heartland in Turkey, residents reported violent clashes between the youth wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and police in the district of Sur. Clashes were also reported in Cizre, Nusaybin and Silopi, according to Kurdish activists.

Turkey has stepped up security operations in the mainly Kurdish towns of Silope and Cizre, both under curfew since Dec. 14. About 10,000 troops backed by tanks have been deployed, according to local media.