As protests against the Iraqi government intensify and the death toll mounts, security forces have opened fire on crowds in at least one city.
Authorities announced a curfew after clashes left scores dead over the weekend, but demonstrators have defied that order and taken to the streets again, furious at economic hardship and corruption.
And there’s another dimension here – it’s not clear whether those shooting at the crowds are controlled by the government, or if they’re militia operating on behalf of neighbouring Iran.
Listen to the interview with Hiwa Osman, journalist in Iraq on the ABC PM program.