Protesters in the Iraqi city of Basra take to the streets over poor living conditions and clash with the police amid efforts to break into government headquarters in the city.

The protesters, who were chanting anti-government slogans, destroyed part of the building’s outer wall and hurled petrol bombs inside the precincts.

Some clashes also erupted between the demonstrators and riot police who fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Basra has witnessed sporadic protests over electricity outages and poor quality of drinking water during hot summer months.

The protesters have also demanded better public services, jobs and an end to what they call entrenched corruption in the government. The government has pledged action to address the demonstrators’ demands.