Iraqi authorities late Friday imposed curfew in eight provinces after demonstrations turned to be bloody clashes between protesters and police.

Iraqi media said the curfew was to take place from 12:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Security sources said that 40 people have been killed in the clashes, local media said, reporting that intruders were infiltrating the demonstration.

Several intruders were arrested in the capital Baghdad and the holy city of Najaf, Iraq’s al-Ahd news network reported on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Joint Operations Command in Iraq released a statement warning against vandalism and riots, stressing that the security forces will deal with those who cause destruction to the public properties as terrorists.

“Strict measures to be taken against those who have nothing to do with peacefulness,” the statement said.

Source: Al-Manar