Police use tear gas on students protesting government in the aftermath of Reyhanlı blasts

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Groups heading to Beşiktaş on the European side of Istanbul were raided by the police. Demonstrators protested the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Syria policy, chanting 'AKP wants war, youth wants peace.' DHA photo

Dozens of demonstrators who gathered to protest the government’s Syria policy in the wake of the weekend’s twin attacks that killed 52 in Reyhanlı were raided by security forces armed with tear gas and water cannons today in Istanbul. 

Two groups comprised mainly of university students were marching from two separate directions to Beşiktaş on the European side, when police officers blocked their path near Dolmabahçe Palace. Police used water cannons and tear gas to quell the protests while some demonstrators tried to cross the barriers to continue their protest. A group of protestors took refuge in the historical Dolmabahçe Mosque. 

The Istanbul police department drew fire after the heavy crackdown on May Day against demonstrators who wanted to reach the iconic Taksim Square. Protests in many universities in Ankara on May 15 were also heavily raided by the police.