Scuffles erupt in Ecuador by Kurdish supporters

There were violent moments in Ecuador's capital of Quito on Thursday as Kurdish supporters turned out to protest Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is in the South American country on an official visit. The protest started out peacefully outside the country's National Higher Studies Institute before Erdogan was due to arrive. Scuffles later erupted when some protesters found their way into the Institute and were forcibly removed. The pro-Kurdish supporters are protesting Turkey's military operation in southeast areas of the Turkey against PKK-militants operating in the region. Last year, Erdogan said that a peace process with the PKK was consigned to the "refrigerator" following an escalation of violence. Erdogan's visit to the South American country seeks to improve bilateral ties between the two nations. Both sides are looking to increase trade to $1 billion USD annually from a current $200 million USD. During his visit, Erdogan has asked for understanding for migrants fleeing war-torn Syria.