At least two people were killed and 200 wounded in clashes in Iraq on Tuesday as security forces used tear gas, water cannon and live fire to disperse demonstrations over unemployment, corruption and poor public services.

Injuries were mainly from tear gas inhalation and some by rubber bullets, as Iraq’s new prime minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, faced his first major protest since coming to power a year ago.

At least a thousand people gathered in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square with Iraqi flags draped over their shoulders or wrapped around their foreheads. "Those thieves robbed us,” people cried in protest at widespread corruption.

Others were on the streets to protest at the lack of public services, including rampant power cuts, water shortages and high levels of unemployment.