Turkish students, police clash at Syria protest

Demonstrators accuse Ankara of putting country at risk by supporting anti-Assad rebels

15 May 2013, 7:49 pm

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The site of one of several explosions that killed at least 50 people and injured dozens near Turkey's border with Syria, Saturday, May 11, 2013. Protesters on Wednesday accused the Turkish government of putting the country at risk by openly supporting Syria's armed insurgency. (photo credit: AP/IHA)

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of university students who tried to march to the Foreign Ministry in protest of the government’s policies on Syria.

Wednesday’s protest comes days after two powerful car bombings in a town near Turkey’s border with Syria killed 51 people. The government blamed the attacks on a group linked to Syria.

Many accuse the government of putting the country at risk by openly supporting Syria’s armed insurgency.

Hundreds of students from three universities in the capital, Ankara, tried to march to the ministry building but were pushed back by police.

Bianet, a human rights advocacy group, said about 30 students were detained and at least two students were injured.