3 killed in clashes as students join rallies in Iraq

BAGHDAD — Three anti-government protesters were killed and at least 100 were wounded in clashes with security forces in Baghdad on Monday as thousands of students joined protests in defiance of a government order and tear gas.

The students skipped classes at several universities and secondary schools in Baghdad and across Iraq’s majority-Shiite south on Monday to take part in the protests, despite the government ordering schools and universities to operate normally.

One of those killed was a 22-year-old female medical student. Seventeen students were among the wounded, but none were killed.

Authorities later announced a curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. in the capital, as renewed protests there and across the Shiite south raged for a fourth day. The demonstrations are fueled by anger at corruption, economic stagnation and poor public services.

On Monday, parliament voted to cancel all privileges and bonuses for the president, the prime minister, the Cabinet, parliament members and other senior officials. But lawmakers later pointed out that the move was unlikely to be implemented because the legislature did not actually amend the law governing such matters.

In any case, the move seemed unlikely to satisfy the protesters, who are calling for far more sweeping change.

“It’s a student revolution, no to the government, no to parties!” demonstrators chanted in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the protests. Protesters have camped out in the central district and volunteers have brought them food, hoping to recreate the revolutionary atmosphere of similar rallies held during and after the 2011 Arab Spring.

Security forces have fired tear gas and stun grenades to keep protesters from crossing a bridge leading to the Green Zone, home to government offices and...