Turkish students condemn government’s Syria policy

University students protesting the Turkish government’s stance on the ongoing crisis in Syria have clashed with police in the capital Ankara.

Turkish police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters who were marching towards the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

The demonstrators censured Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policies of funding and supporting the foreign-backed militants operating inside the Arab country.

According to human rights advocacy group, Bianet, about 30 students were arrested and at least two students were injured in the clashes.

The protest comes days after two explosions hit the Turkish town of Reyhanli near the border with Syria, killing more than 40 people.

On May 13, protesters took to the streets in the southern city to condemn the violence which they blamed on Erdogan for his support of armed militants in Syria.

A similar demonstration was held in Ankara on May 11, in which dozens of people marched in the streets and chanted slogans criticizing Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Turkey has been one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s harshest critics and has supported the foreign-backed militants fighting to topple his government.

Turkish opposition parties have censured the Turkish government for its intervention in Syria’s internal affairs.