Kurdish protesters clash with police

Turkish police used water cannons to disrupt Kurdish demonstrations in the southeastern part of the country.

Powerful gusts of water sent many Kurds fleeing as police enforced a ban on early Newroz or Persian new year celebrations.

Kurds responded by setting off firecrackers and hurling stones and Molotov cocktails at police patrols.

Over the weekend, one local politician died in the protests in Diyarbakir and Istanbul , a sign of rising tension ahead of the New Year which starts on Wednesday.

Newroz is celebrated throughout the Middle East.

Deborah Gembara, Reuters.