Eleven more have been killed in the protests in Iraq’s southern cities on Wednesday. At least 19 have been killed since the beginning of the protests three days ago.

According to the police sources on Thursday, the protesters carried guns and fired at the police. During these shootings, seven protesters and one police officer were killed in Nasiriyah. Four more lost their lives in Amarah.

The military and police forces started their patrol in the city of Baghdad on Thursday to implement the curfew announced by the prime minister.

Prime Ministre Abdul-Mahdi’s statement says the curfew includes all vehicles and people from 5:00 am on Thursday until further notice. Travelers at Baghdad Airport, ambulances, the government employees at hospitals, electricity and water companies, and pilgrims are exempt from the curfew.

It has been reported that many protesters in Iraq have chanted against the presence and interventions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Iraq.

Iranian police officials have announced that due to Iraq’s request, they have been asked to temporarily stop the pilgrims from traveling to Iraq.

The protests began on Tuesday in Baghdad’s Tahrir square and in Najaf and Nasiriyah cities in the south of Iraq in objection to the mass corruption and incompetent public services.

A weak economy, government corruption, and Iran’s interference and proxy groups have faced Iraq with serious problems.

According to the UN Transparency report, Iraq is the 12th most corrupt country in the world and it has witnessed several mass protests against corruption in recent years.