Thousands of protesters take to streets in Baghdad

They have filled the streets across Iraq and across Lebanon too: mass anti government protests, railing against corruption, against economic hardship, and in some cases, it’s coupled with anger and resentment towards Iran.

In Iraq, the protests have turned especially violent; security forces have killed more than 250 people and left hundreds wounded. The instability is now raising fears of a backlash by neighbouring Iran and its allies.