At least 40 killed as fresh protests engulf Iraq

At least 40 people have died in Iraq and dozens injured after a fresh wave of anti-government protests turned violent.

Police fired rubber bullets and teargas canisters in an attempt to disperse the crowd gathered at the Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on Friday.

According to reports, two protesters were killed when they were hit by teargas canisters.

Reports say half of the victims were killed while trying to cross the Jumhuriyya Bridge leading to Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

This is the second major bout of violence this month, after a series of clashes two weeks ago left 157 people dead and over 6,000 wounded.

Thousands have taken to the streets to demand more jobs, better public services and an end to corruption.