Iraq unrest: 13 killed in fresh wave of protests

At least 13 people have been killed in Iraq in a fresh wave of protests in the southern city of Nasiriya.

Security forces opened fire and used tear gas on Thursday to clear two bridges blocked by protesters. Another 70 people were injured.

Iraqis have been taking to the streets to demand more jobs, an end to corruption, and better public services.

The Iraqi military announced it was setting up military "crisis cells" to quell unrest.

The military command said an emergency unit had been created to "impose security and restore order".

"On the orders of the commander in chief of the armed forces, Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, some military commanders have been appointed to this unit to direct and control all security and military forces and assist the governors in their mission," it said in a statement.

Sources told the BBC that the demonstrators in Nasiriya were now "in control" of the situation in the city and were "chasing the police in the streets and alleys."

Iraq's anti-government protests have been directed mainly at the country's political leaders.

But many of those taking part have also expressed anger at Iran's influence over Iraq's internal affairs, which has steadily grown since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. On Wednesday, the Iranian consulate in the city of Najaf was attacked.

Protesters accuse Iran of complicity in what they see as Iraq's governance failure and corruption.

Wednesday's attack saw a group of protesters set fire to the consulate in the city - the seat of Iraq's Shia religious authority and the location of the revered Imam Ali shrine, where the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad is buried.

Protesters chanted "Iran out of Iraq" as flames engulfed the building.

Reports say staff at the consulate managed to flee just before protesters broke in. Iran swiftly condemned the attack and said that the Iraqi government was responsible for protecting its consulate.

This is the second attack on an Iranian consulate in Iraq this month after an office in the Shia holy city of Karbala was targeted three weeks ago.

Mr Abdul Mahdi took office just over a year ago, promising reforms that have not materialised.

Young Iraqis angered by his failure to tackle high unemployment, endemic corruption and poor public services took to the streets of Baghdad for the first time at the beginning of October.

After the first wave of protests, which lasted six days and saw 149 civilians killed, Mr Abdul Mahdi promised to reshuffle his cabinet, cut the salaries of high-ranking officials, and announced schemes to reduce youth unemployment.

But the protesters said their demands had not been met and returned to the streets in late October.

The demonstrations escalated and spread across the country after security personnel responded with deadly force.

President Barham Saleh has said Mr Abdul Mahdi will resign if parties can agree on a replacement.