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Iraqi Authorities Respond to Protests With Curfew, Live Rounds

VOA News

   Iraqi security forces used tear gas and fired live bullets to disperse
   protesters on the third day of anti-government demonstrations in
   Baghdad.

   Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi announced a curfew Thursday seeking to
   control the protests in the capital city and elsewhere in the country.

   Since the protests began on Tuesday, clashes with security forces have
   left at least 18 people dead, including a police officer, and hundreds
   more injured. In addition to live rounds and tear gas, authorities have
   deployed water cannons and rubber bullets to try to break up the
   crowds.

   Demonstrators are unhappy about poor government services and
   corruption.

   There were widespread reports of internet outages Thursday.

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