Deadly anti-government protests sweep Iraq

At least 21 people have been killed in Iraq during a fresh wave of anti-government protests that have descended into violence.

Two of the dead were reportedly hit by tear gas canisters fired by security forces in the capital Baghdad.

Reports say half of the victims were killed while trying to storm a militia group's offices in two southern cities.

Hundreds have been injured in nationwide protests that erupted on Friday, reports say.

Protesters are demanding more jobs, better public services and an end to corruption.

Similar protests earlier this month were brutally put down by security forces, leaving nearly 150 people dead.

A government report has acknowledged that authorities used excessive force in quelling that unrest.

Iraq's leading Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, used his weekly sermon on Friday to call for restraint.

Agencies
 

Dhaka/Nasim