Iraqi protesters burn tires to block main roads

Black smoke filled the air as Iraqi protesters burned tyres to block main roads in the cities of Karbala and Najaf on Monday. Dozens were wounded in the violence since Friday in Baghdad and other southern cities, where protests reignited last week after a brief lull.

Iraqi activists gave the government a week's deadline to act on their demands for sweeping political reforms or said they would up the pressure with new demonstrations.

The uprising began on Oct. 1 when thousands of Iraqis took to the streets to decry rampant government corruption, poor public services and a scarcity of jobs.

Protesters are demanding an end to Iraq's sectarian political system, alongside early elections and the stepping aside of its ruling elite.

The mass protest movement had several successes before the U.S. strike diverted public attention.

In December, pressure from demonstrations lead Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's more revered Shiite cleric, to withdraw support for the government of Adel Abdul-Mahdi, prompting the prime minister's resignation.

Later that month, lawmakers passed a key new electoral law that would give the people more say in who's elected to office.

But bickering between rival political factions has so far set back talks over the selection of a new premier.

Since the protests first erupted in October, at least 500 have died under fire from security forces.