Two protesters were killed in the Iraqi capital, and more than fifty others were wounded after the security forces fired live bullets and tear gas while they were trying to open a number of roads and bridges.

For its part, the Baghdad Operations Command said that 14 officers, including the brigade commander in the First Division of the Federal Police, were wounded in clashes with the demonstrators.

Al-Jazeera correspondent said that the security forces reopened the highway linking the capital with the central and southern governorates. He pointed out that a number of southern governorates roads are still cut off.

For his part, the spokesman of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces said that orders were issued to the security forces to arrest all those who block roads and government departments.

Al-Jazeera correspondent in the capital said that the demonstrators also closed the roads leading to Al-Tayaran Square in central Baghdad, and dozens of protesters set fire to tires in an attempt to prevent traffic in implementation of calls to escalate the protests after the expiry of Her Highness's "homeland deadline" yesterday night, which protesters set for the authorities to implement their demands or start In escalation steps.

Anadolu Agency quoted a security source as saying that the security forces broke up a sit-in by force and regained control of the Muhammad al-Qasim Highway in central Baghdad.

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South protests
The governor of Wasit (south of Baghdad) announced the suspension of working hours today, Monday, in the interest of citizens ’lives, security, social peace, and security stability.

Al-Jazeera correspondent Abdel-Fattah Fayed indicated that the escalation is particularly acute in the cities of Nasiriyah and Najaf (south of the country) and said that most government departments are completely closed.

Yesterday saw an escalation in Baghdad and the cities and towns of the south, most notably Diwaniya, Kut and Amara, where demonstrators cut roads and bridges with burning tires, and flocked to public squares.

International call
In light of this popular escalation, Jenin Hennes-Blackshart, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq, urged the authorities in Baghdad to mobilize again for reform.

Blackshart said that the killing and wounding of peaceful demonstrators - along with many years of unfulfilled promises - had resulted in a major crisis of confidence.

She added that it was time to implement reforms that all actors in Iraq have recognized the need for, and to avoid further obstructing the protests by those seeking to achieve their own goals.

The UN representative noted that geopolitical developments should not overshadow the legitimate demands of the people because this would only lead to more public anger and mistrust.

It also urged the Iraqi authorities to do their utmost to protect peaceful demonstrators, accountability and justice, and called on demonstrators to commit to peace.