Protesters and security forces clash in Iraq's Karbala

Six people were wounded after Iraqi security forces clashed with anti-government protesters in Karbala late on Saturday, according to hospital and security sources.

Protesters took to the streets in the holy city of Karbala protesting against US and Iran's interference in Iraqi government, corruption and a lack of basic services.

Demonstrators and members of the security forces hurled molotov cocktails at each other.

The move marked another escalation which could draw the city deeper into chaos.

Iraq was barely starting to recover from a devastating four-year war against the Islamic State group when a mass uprising against the country's ruling elite erupted on October 1.

The leaderless protests are targeting Iraq's entire political class and calling for the overhaul of the sectarian system established after the 2003 US-led invasion.