Protesters run from riot police in the heart of Istanbul.

Police moved in on anti-government demonstrators shortly after dawn, and Taksim Square was soon filled with tear gas and small fires.

Cheers erupted when police pulled back to the fringes of the square, but clashes soon reignited.

One protester feared it was a rehearsal for a raid on adjacent Gezi Park and said fighting back would only make things worse.

Authorities say there is no intention to break up the sit-in inside the park, where a peaceful demonstration against downtown development plans began two weeks ago.

(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PROTESTER SAYING:

"I think Turkey is being pulled into darkness. I don't know what will happen next. But we are all concerned and our concerns are intensifying day by day."

Police crackdowns on the protests have intensified anger against the government and brought thousands to the streets in several cities across Turkey.

The clashes have in