Turkish police use water cannons against protesters

Turkish police riot have used water cannons to disperse protesters holding a fresh round of anti-government demonstration in the capital Ankara.

On Thursday, police used smoke grenades and water cannons against the several hundred demonstrators who took to the streets of the city to express their discontent with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling AK Party.

Some protesters sounded their car horns while others were on feet carrying flags of Turkey and chanting slogans against Erdogan.

The unrest in Turkey began on May 31 after the police broke up a sit-in held at Istanbul’s Taksim Square to protest against the proposal to demolish Gezi Park.

The Turkish prime minister has faced international condemnation for his handling of the unrest. Turkish police have also been strongly criticized for using excessive force against the peaceful protests.

Five people, including a police officer, have reportedly died in the clashes and more than 5,000 protesters and 600 police officers have been wounded.