More than nine people were injured after clashes broke out between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s bodyguards and protesters outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in the US capital, during a visit by the president.

According to witnesses, the brawl erupted when the Turkish president’s security detail attacked demonstrators carrying the flag of the Kurdish PYD (Democratic Union Party) political party outside the residence.

Men in suits can be seen exchanging punches with demonstrators before US law enforcement officials attempt to separate them.

Clashes continued, with some protesters, including women, knocked to the ground before being kicked and punched.