At least two soldiers have been killed and another one injured in a series of shootings in the Iraqi city of Fallujah.
Police say gunmen attacked several security checkpoints across Fallujah and opened fire on soldiers on Saturday.
They also stormed a military outpost and kidnapped three other soldiers stationed there.
The incident comes after four people were killed and nearly 20 others were injured in clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government protesters in the city on Thursday.
Iraq has been the scene of anti-government demonstrations since December 23, 2012, when the bodyguards of Finance Minister Rafie al-Issawi were arrested on terrorism-related charges.
The demonstrators allege that the arrests were made on sectarian grounds and demand an end to anti-terrorism laws. However, Baghdad says it is up to the parliament to decide on abolishing those laws.
On January 9, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki warned anti-government protesters that security guards could intervene to end illegal demonstrations across the country.
“There is a difference between a peaceful rally and an act of disobedience and blocking off a highway,” Maliki stated.
PG/HGH
