Iraq unrest: demonstrators set highway on fire

Iraq has been hit by protests which marked the largest to date against Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's fragile government. Thousands are protesting against corruption, lack of jobs and poor services in particular access to electricity and clean water.

Baghdad: The protesters set fire on highway as anti-government protests raged for a fifth day in Iraq with at least 100 deaths reported in clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

As reported, the latest deaths included four people who were killed on Saturday when security forces opened fire to disperse renewed protests in the capital of Baghdad.

The protests largely led by young people, were renewed at the weekend after a two-day-old curfew in Baghdad was lifted early on Saturday allowing shops to open and traffic to flow.

Meanwhile, Masked gunmen ransacked the office of multiple television stations in Baghdad on Saturday. Several of the channel's employees were beaten.

Since Tuesday, Iraq has been hit by protests which marked the largest to date against Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's fragile government. Thousands are protesting against corruption, lack of jobs and poor services, in particular, access to electricity and clean water.