AUTHORITIES say nine people were hurt and two arrests were made during an altercation at the Turkish ambassador’s residence in the US capital: the same day that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. .

It’s claimed Mr Erdogan’s own security detail was involved in the brawl, with many on social media describing them as his “goons” and “thugs”.

Video footage shows among the attackers are suited men, reported to be Mr Erdogan’s bodyguards, kicking protesters as police try to stop them.

According to witnesses, the brawl erupted when the Turkish president’s security detail attacked protesters carrying the flag of the Kurdish PYD party outside the ambassador’s residence.

City police reinforcements restored order.

Video of the incident shows several protesters covered in blood. One man, who had been holding a loudspeaker, is bleeding from the head and covering his face, as men in suits kick his prone body.

“This happened in the US capital today, at the Turkish embassy. I understand the uniformed are Erdogan’s body guards,” posted Jennifer Victor, with a link to accompanying footage, on Twitter.

Doug Buchanan, a Washington fire and emergency services spokesman, says two were seriously injured and taken to hospital. He said by phone that emergency personnel were called to the residence about 4.30pm.

Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck says the altercation broke out between two groups but he didn’t elaborate on the circumstances.

He says two people were arrested, including one who was charged with assaulting a police officer.

This happened in the US capital today, at the Turkish embassy. I understand the uniformed are Erdogan's body guards. #Notametaphor https://t.co/thsbY52FSr — Jennifer Victor (@jennifernvictor) May 17, 2017

The incident came as Mr Trump extended a warm welcome to Mr Erdogan, an authoritarian-style leader who had a strained relationship with the previous US administration.

“We’ve had a great relationship and we will make it even better,” Mr Trump said in the Oval Office as he sat beside Mr Erdogan. “We look forward to having very strong and solid discussions.”

The State Department declined to comment.

About two dozen demonstrators showed up outside of the embassy just hours after the White House meeting.

“We are protesting (Mr Erdogan’s) policies in Turkey, in Syria and in Iraq,” said Flint Arthur of Baltimore, Maryland.

Mr Arthur accused Mr Erdogan supporters of breaching police lines and attacking protesters on at least three separate occasions.