Nowruz celebration in Turkey descends into clashes - in pictures

Turkish riot police used pepper spray against the crowd that had gathered to celebrate the Persian new year

Turkish Kurds in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, gather around a bonfire during Nowruz celebrations marking the Persian New Year. AFP

A woman poses with a bonfire during a gathering to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring, in Diyarbakir, Turkey March 21, 2022. REUTERS / Sertac Kayar

Persian New Year celebrations with a selfie in Diyarbakir, Turkey, during a gathering to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring. Reuters

Kurdish women at a gathering for Nowroz in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey. AFP

A revellers at a bonfire in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, during a gathering of Turkish Kurds for Nowruz celebrations marking the Persian New Year. AFP

A daf drum is played to accompany the Halay folk dance as Turkish Kurds celebrate Nowruz in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey. AFP

A reveller is thrown into the air by friends during a gathering to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring, in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Reuters

Supporters of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party gather in Diyarbakir, Turkey, to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring. Reuters

The first day of spring is marked with bonfires by a gathering of Turkish Kurds to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey. AFP

Turkish Kurds gather for Nowruz in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey. AFP

The first day of spring is marked with bonfires by a gathering of Turkish Kurds to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey. AFP

Armed police officers look on as Kurds celebrate Nowruz in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey. AFP

Riot police take position on security barriers during a gathering of Kurds to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring, in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Reuters

Ranks of riot police stand guard as Turkish Kurds celebrate Nowruz in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey. AFP

Riot police fire pepper spray into the Nowruz crowd in Diyarbakir, Turkey, as revellers protest against the arrest of demonstrators. Reuters

Riot police stand before the security barriers during a gathering of Turkish Kurds to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring, in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Reuters

Turkish police detain a man during a gathering of Turkish Kurds at Nowruz celebrations in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey. AFP

Demonstrators push down security barriers to protest against arrests by riot police during a gathering to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring, in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Reuters

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Nowruz celebrations 2022 - in pictures