Iraq imposes curfew in Karbala amid anti-gov't protests

By Amir Al-Saadi

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraqi authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew in Karbala as anti-government protests continued in the southern city.

All individuals and vehicles will be forbidden to move from 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT) until Tuesday morning, mayor Nassif al-Khattab said in a statement on Monday.

A fresh wave of demonstrations has rocked Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces since Friday against government corruption, unemployment, and lack of basic services.

At least 75 people have been killed and more than 3,600 others injured since the protests began, according to human rights groups.

Anger has been building in Iraq in recent years due to rising unemployment and rampant corruption. Many in the country have limited access to basic services such as electricity and clean water.

According to World Bank figures, Iraq's youth unemployment is around 25%. It is also ranked the 12th most-corrupt country in the world by several transparency organizations.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara