Students in Iraq have joined anti-government protests in Baghdad.

Thousands stayed in the capital's central Tahrir Square, challenging the bloody crackdown that killed dozens over the weekend and an overnight raid by security forces seeking to disperse them.

At least 74 Iraqis were killed on Friday and Saturday and hundreds wounded as demonstrators clashed with security forces and militia groups in the second wave of this month's protests against Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's government.

Several schools and universities closed down, activists said on Sunday, with some protesting on campus and others heading towards the main gathering spaces for rallies.

Demonstrations began on 1 October to protest against the government failure to take action against corruption in cities and towns in the southern and central regions of Iraq.

In the demonstrations which lasted for another three days, many people were killed and thousands were injured as a result of the use of weapons by the police and Iraqi security forces.

Iraqi High Commission on Human Rights announced that 74 people were killed and 3654 people were injured in the protests and clashes in the last three days. It was also stated that 90 state institutions and party buildings were burned.

Prime minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, came into office a year ago. He has so far resisted public pressure to step down, warning that the government’s resignation could throw the country into chaos. With protesters refusing to budge, the state could be set for a prolonged period of unrest.