There have been clashes between Kurds and Turkish security forces as celebrations over Kurdish military success in neighbouring Syria turned sour.

The fall of the strategic Syrian border town Ras al-Ain to Kurdish militants brought hundreds of elated Kurds onto the streets in Turkey’s southeastern province of Cizre.

Trouble duly followed. Police responded with water cannon as protesters pelted armoured vehicles with firecrackers and petrol bombs.

The government in Ankara is afraid that if an autonomous Kurdish region is established in Syria, it could encourage Kurds in Turkey to push further in their bid for autonomy.

Kurdish leaders have accused the government of dragging its feet over steps towards peace, but Ankara says the Kurds must keep their side of the bargain and withdraw fighters in northern Iraq.

The Kurdish PKK, deemed a terrorist organisation by the US and the EU, has accused the government of supporting Islamist groups involved in clashes with Kurds in northern Syria.

Euronews