Baghdad: Gunmen in cars have opened fire in Baghdad's Khilani Square on Friday, leaving at least 19 people dead and 70 wounded.

Protesters fearing for their lives ran from the plaza to nearby Tahrir Square and mosques to take cover.

It wasn't immediately clear who was responsible for the shooting. At least three of the dead were police.

The attack came as anti-government demonstrators occupied parts of Jumhuriya, Sinak and Ahar bridges in a stand-off with security forces.

All the bridges lead to or near the heavily-fortified Green Zone, the seat of Iraq's government.