Police in Istanbul have broken up a massive protest on Taksim Square, the epicenter of recent demonstrations against the prime minister. The raid came hours after the premier said protests would no longer be tolerated.

A day-long protest against Prime Minister Erdogan's government culminated on Tuesday night in a showdown with riot police on Taksim Square. Thousands of demonstrators attempted to hold their ground, setting off fireworks and throwing stones, as authorities moved in to quash the unrest.

Riot police shot canisters of tear gas into the crowds and deployed water cannon, dispersing thousands, many of whom had protested peacefully. Isolated fires blazed on the emptied square as night fell.

It was not immediately clear how many protesters had been injured.