IRAQI security forces have fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds of protesters, killing one person, in the third day of fierce clashes in central Baghdad, officials have said.

A protester was struck with a rubber bullet and died instantly, and 12 others were wounded in the fighting on Rasheed Street.

Fifteen people have died and more than 100 have been wounded in the renewed clashes.

The fighting, which has centred on Rasheed Street, started on Thursday when protesters tried to dismantle a security barricade on the street. Security forces responded with barrages of tear gas and live ammunition. At least 341 protesters have died in Iraq’s massive protests, which started on October 1 when thousands of Iraqis took to the streets to condemn corruption and the lack of services despite Iraq’s oil wealth.