In Pictures

In Pictures: Violent protests continue in Iraq

Protesters are calling for an overhaul of the political system, accusing the government of corruption and incompetence.

Iraqi mourners carry the coffin of a demonstrator who was killed at anti-government protests, during a funeral, in the holy city of Kerbala, Iraq November 4, 2019. REUTERS/Abdullah Dhiaa al-Deen — Iraqi mourners carry the coffin of a demonstrator who was killed during anti-government protests in the holy city of Karbala. [Abdullah Dhiaa al-Deen/Reuters]

Security forces shut down three vital bridges on Tuesday as anti-government protests continued in Baghdad, with at least three anti-government protesters killed in clashes with security forces in southern Iraq.

More than 260 people have been killed and thousands of others wounded since the protests erupted in October, with security forces using tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition against those taking to the streets.

Most of the deaths took place during the first week of the demonstrations, when snipers shot on crowds from Baghdad rooftops. But after the government appeared to have curbed the use of some deadly tactics, the protests spread rapidly over the past 10 days.

“Appalled by continued bloodshed in Iraq,” United Nations Iraq envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said in a Tweet on Monday.

“Violence only begets violence, peaceful demonstrators must be protected. It is high time for national dialogue.”

The protesters are calling for an overhaul of the political system established after the 2003 US-led invasion, accusing the government and major political parties of corruption and incompetence.

Since putting down an armed uprising by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group in 2017, Iraq has enjoyed two years of comparative stability.

But despite its oil wealth, many Iraqis live in poverty with limited access to clean water, electricity, healthcare or education.

Iraqis light candles in the memory of the protesters who were killed by seurity forces since the corupt of protests at Tahrir squaer in central Baghdad, Iraq, 04 November 2019. At least eight proteste — Iraqis light candles in Tahrir square in central Baghdad, in the memory of the protesters who were killed by security forces. [Ahmed Jalil/EPA]

Anti-government protesters set fire while security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas near the state-run TV in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) — Anti-government protesters clash with security forces near the state-run TV station in Baghdad. [Hadi Mizban/AP Photo]

Anti-government protests set fire while security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas near the state-run TV in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) — Nearly 150 people were killed between October 1-7, with 70 percent of deaths resulting from bullets to the head or chest.[Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo]

A protester holds an Iraqi flag while anti-government protests set fire while security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas near the state-run TV in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo — UN Iraq envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert denounced the violence. [Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo]

Iraqi demonstrators gather near al-Jumhuriya bridge which leads to the high-security Green Zone, during ongoing anti-government protests in the capital Baghdad on November 4, 2019. - Iraqi security fo — The demonstrations are rooted in long-standing grievances over poor governance, official corruption and lack of economic opportunity. [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]

Iraqi demonstrators take part in ongoing anti-government protests, near al-Jumhuriya bridge which leads to the high-security Green Zone, in the capital Baghdad on November 4, 2019. - Iraqi security fo — Iraqi protesters near al-Jumhuriya bridge which leads to the high-security Green Zone, in the capital Baghdad. [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]

An Iraqi demonstrator waving a national flag flashes the victory sign near al-Jumhuriya bridge which leads to the high-security Green Zone, during ongoing anti-government protests in the capital Baghd — Protesters demand sweeping changes and an overhaul of the country's political system, which was established after the US-led invasion in 2003. [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]

Iraqis sweep away waste left behind by fellow demonstrators near al-Jumhuriya bridge which leads to the high-security Green Zone, during ongoing anti-government protests in the capital Baghdad on Nove — People sweep away waste left behind by fellow demonstrators near al-Jumhuriya bridge. [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]

An Iraqi woman walks along a wall covered with a mural painting during an anti-government demonstration in the capital Baghdad''s Tahrir square on November 4, 2019. - Iraqi security forces fired live r — A mural created during the anti-government demonstration in Baghdad's Tahrir square. [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]