'All we want are jobs, water, safety': Up to 40 dead as police fire on Iraq protesters

At least 27 people have been killed and nearly 1800 injured in Iraq after security forces moved to quell renewed demonstrations against corruption.

Anti-government protesters burn police vehicles guarding the provincial council in Basra, Iraq. Source: AP

At least 40 protesters have been killed in Iraq after security forces used tear gas and an Iranian-backed militia opened fire to try to quell renewed demonstrations against corruption and economic hardship.

A government intelligence officer and a member of the powerful Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia were killed in a clash with protesters in the southern city of Amara, police sources say.

Nearly 1800 people were injured nationwide, according to medical sources, as demonstrators vented frustration at political elites they say have failed to improve their lives after years of conflict.

Iraqi security forces fire tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters during a demonstration in central Baghdad. Source: AP

"All we want are four things: jobs, water, electricity, and safety. That's all we want," said 16-year-old Ali Mohammed, who had covered his face with a T-shirt to avoid inhaling tear gas, as chaotic scenes overwhelmed Baghdad's central Tahrir Square on Friday.

Sirens wailed and tear gas canisters landed amid groups of young protesters draped in Iraqi flags who chanted "with life and blood we defend you Iraq".

Protesters open the road leading to the Green Zone. Source: AP

The bloodshed is the second major bout of violence this month.

A series of clashes two weeks ago between protesters and security forces left 157 people dead and more than 6000 wounded.

The unrest has broken nearly two years of relative stability in Iraq, which lived through foreign occupation, civil war and an IS insurgency between 2003 and 2017.

On Friday, eight protesters were killed in Baghdad, the Iraqi Human Rights Commission said.

At least five of them were protesters struck by tear gas canisters, security sources said.

In the south, at least six protesters were killed when members of the Iranian-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) militia opened fire on protesters who tried to set fire to the group's office in the city of Nasiriya, according to security sources.

Anti-government protesters pull down concrete walls leading to the heavily guarded Green Zone during a demonstration in central Baghdad. Source: AP

Eight people were killed in Amara city, including six protesters, one AAH member and one intelligence officer, police sources said.

Three protesters were killed in oil-rich Basra and one in Samawa, security sources said.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khalid al-Muhanna said at least 68 members of the security forces were injured.