Iraqi security forces killed 16 protesters in the southern city of Nassiriya medical sources told Reuters, and authorities forced a curfew in Najaf after demonstrators torched its Iranian consulate.
Protesters torched the consulate in Najaf in the evening, police discharged live ammunition to stop them from entering the building, a police official said.
The demonstrators removed the Iranian flag from the building and substituted it with an Iraqi one. Iranian staff were not harmed and fled the building from the back door and authorities imposed a curfew in Najaf.
Authorities sent troops to southern Iraq after weeks of mass protests that aim to take down a government perceived as corrupt and supported by Tehran.
What's happening in Tunisia?
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for updates.