Protesters stormed and set fire to the Iranian consulate in the southern city of Najaf in Iraq on Wednesday evening, police and civil defense sources said.

Staff at the consulate had evacuated before the breach. Authorities announced a curfew in order to prevent further incidents, state media reported.

Security forces used live rounds to block protesters from entering the building. According to the authorities, 6 demonstrators were killed and at least 80 were injured as a result of the police shooting.

ILKHA