Four protesters were killed by tear gas canisters in Baghdad on Thursday as security forces tried to snuff out the largest grassroots movement to sweep Iraq in years.
Iraq's political elite has come under renewed pressure in recent days from both the street and the international community to seriously address calls for reform.
The UN, Washington and human rights groups have all criticised Baghdad authorities' harsh response to the protests, which has left more than 330 people dead since the start of October.
Early Thursday, four protesters were killed when they were hit by tear gas canisters near the capital's main protest camp in Tahrir (Liberation) Square, medical sources told AFP.
In heated skirmishes, groups of young men wearing surgical masks and construction helmets tossed back tear gas canisters at riot police stationed behind concrete blast walls.
The protesters have occupied the square for three weeks, braving live rounds, stun grenades and even machine gun fire.
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Security forces have relied heavily on tear gas to confine them to Tahrir, and rights groups have accused them of improperly firing the canisters directly into crowds at close range, shattering protesters' skulls and chests.
One angry activist reminded security forces that the Shiite religious leadership, or marjaiyah, has condemned such excessive violence.
"Didn't the marjaiyah say forces shouldn't use live fire?" he yelled angrily. "Doesn't this count as live fire?" Just beside him, a demonstrator was carried away after collapsing on the ground, overcome by the potent tear gas.
Thursday's deaths marked a resurgence of bloodshed after a few days of relatively peaceful protests in the capital.
The crowds in Tahrir have swelled again with students and striking teachers in recent days.
In the southern hotspots of Diwaniyah, Nasiriyah, Hilla and Kut, schools and most government offices were closed on Thursday.
In a town north of Nasiriyah, security forces imposed a fresh curfew starting from 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) until the next morning, said an AFP correspondent.
Reinforcements also arrived in the area to help contain rallies there, said a security source, after protesters torched local officials' homes in recent days.
The Old City of Najaf -- one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites -- joined in with a general strike on Thursday.
One merchant there said that "we're ready to take a loss for a day, or a month, or even 20 months. We've been losing for 16 years."
"We have one message," said Ali, a demonstrator in Tahrir. "We don't want this government."
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