Isis riots spreading across Europe as Islamists clash with Kurdish supporters in Germany
Germany is home to Europe's largest Kurdish population
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dozens were injured in Germany after clashes erupted between Kurdish protesters and hard-line Islamists overnight.
Police say 14 were injured and 22 arrested in violent scuffles in the northern city of Hamburg after hundreds of Kurds staged a demonstration against Isis, also known as the Islamic State.
Similar protests were held across Europe yesterday by Kurds attempting to draw attention to Isis’s siege of the Kurdish town of Kobani in northern Syria.
Germany, home to Europe’s largest Kurdish population, saw a standoff in Hamburg between 600 Kurdish protesters and members of a nearby mosque associated with the Salafist movement, a strict interpretation of Islam banned in Germany, descend into violence.
In a video posted on YouTube, which cannot be independently verified, a strong police presence attempts to control crowds as ambulance and emergency services can be seen.
Police used water cannons to break up the demonstration, later confiscating ‘cut and thrust’ weapons found at the scene. German newspaper Bild reported that some demonstrators carried iron rods, knives, brass knuckles and a machete.
Meanwhile, in Brussels, 50 pro-Kurdish activists forced their way into the European parliament to demand Europe does more to aid the beleaguered forces fighting Isis.
"They need something to defend themselves and civilians," said Hakan Cifci of the Kurdistan National Congress in Brussels.
Turkey, which borders Syria and has been watching the escalating situation in Kobani with concern, reported at least six protests in different cities last night.
Police allegedly used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in Diyarbakir, Batman, Van, Sirnak, Sanliurfa, Hakkari and Kucuk Kenderciler, not far from Kobani on the Turkish side of the border.
In Istanbul protestors set up barricades, hurled stones, fireworks and firebombs at police and set a bus on fire, according to local media sources.
Across Turkey local media reported multiple wounded as a result of the clashes, with police officers also injured as protests became increasingly violent last night.
Kurds make up one fifth of Turkey’s population and are reacting with increasing fury at what they perceive to be their government’s reluctance to intervene in the conflict over the border.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said: “There has to be co-operation with those who are fighting on the ground,” but his government has so far refused to join any coalition against the Sunni Muslim militants.
Additional reporting from PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments