TORONTO – Hundreds of riot police broke through make-shift barricades at Istanbul’s Taksim Square Tuesday firing rubber bullets, tear gas and using water cannons in efforts to disperse protesters who have been occupying the area for more than a week.
The police raid, which came on the 12th day of nationwide protests, sparked clashes with groups of protesters well into the afternoon. Many other protesters fled into the adjacent Gezi Park, where hundreds have been camping out to stop developers from cutting down trees in the park.
Here’s a look at 15 chaotic photos from Istanbul’s Taksim Square.
A demonstrator throws a stone during clashes with riot police in Taksim Square on June 11, 2013. Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty Images
A protester is hit by a water cannon during clashes with riot police in Taksim Square in Istanbul on June 11, 2013. Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images
A protester wearing a gas mask, throws back a tear gas canister during clashes with riot police in Istanbul’s Taksim Square on June 11, 2013. Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police use water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd during a demonstration near Taksim Square on June 11, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
Smoke disperses as protesters clash with riot police in Taksim Square in Istanbul on June 11, 2013. Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters set off fireworks as they clash with riot police in Taksim Square in Istanbul on June 11, 2013. Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters hold up shields as a water cannon is fired towards them in Taksim Square in Istanbul on June 11, 2013. Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters hold Molotov cocktails in Taksim Square in Istanbul on June 11, 2013 during clashes between riot police and protesters. Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images
Police launch tear gas during an operation to evacuate the Taksim Square in Istanbul Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Thanassis Stavrakis / AP Photo
Police take cover behind shields during an operation at the Taksim Square in Istanbul Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Thanassis Stavrakis / AP Photo
A police vehicle fires a water cannon to extinguish a fire of another vehicle after protesters threw a petrol bomb during a police operation to evacuate Taksim Square in Istanbul Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Thanassis Stavrakis / AP Photo
Police officer fires rubber bullets during an operation to evacuate Taksim Square in Istanbul Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Thanassis Stavrakis / AP Photo
Riot policemen take cover behind their shields amid tear gas smoke during clashes in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Kostas Tsironis / AP Photo
A protester is sprayed by a water cannon during clashes in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Kostas Tsironis / AP Photo
A protester throws a petrol bomb towards riot policemen during clashes in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Kostas Tsironis / AP Photo
-with a file from The Associated Press
Comments