Turkish police used water cannons to disperse protesters in Diyarbakir, in Turkey's Kurdish dominated southeast, Monday, August 19.
Turkish authorities have expelled the mayors of the three main cities in a predominantly Kurdish area, provoking protests and political condemnation. Their expulsion comes as Turkish forces are poised to launch a military operation against Syrian Kurdish militants.
The pro-Kurdish HDP mayors in Van, Mardin and Diyarbakir, were replaced by state-appointed trustees Monday. The ruling AKP accuses the mayors of supporting the Kurdish insurgent group the PKK, an allegation the HDP denies.
The Turkish Interior Ministry said the personnel action was part of a terrorism investigation.
More than 400 people were detained Monday in a nationwide operation against the outlawed PKK, which Turkey, the European Union and United States have designated as a terrorist organization.
Protests erupted in all three cities as news spread about their expulsion. Security forces using tear gas and water cannons quickly quelled the unrest. Anger over their dismissals also led to demonstrations in other towns and cities.
Ankara strongly defended the mayors' removals.
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