At least 23 people have died and hundreds more are injured after Iraq's capital descended into chaos on Monday over the resignation of an influential Shiite cleric.
Hundreds of protestors loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, stormed the Iraq government palace in Baghdad's Green Zone, sparking clashes with security forces which have left scores dead and nearly 400 people wounded.
Iraq's military announced a nationwide curfew, and the caretaker premier suspended cabinet sessions in response to the violence.
Medical officials said at least 380 protesters were wounded by gunfire or injured by tear gas and physical altercations with riot police.
The episode began when supporters of al-Sadr, who announced he would retire from domestic politics, pulled down the cement barriers outside the government palace with ropes and breached its gates. Many rushed into the lavish salons and marbled halls of the palace.
This sparked a harsh response from security forces, who shot and beat protestors.
Late Monday evening, mortar shells and automatic weapon fire could be heard from within the ultra-secure Green Zone, which houses government ministries and embassies.
