Protests in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad which began relatively peacefully on Tuesday have spiraled out of control Wednesday, and into other cities, after witnessing a heavy handed police response resulting in up to seven reported deaths, according to data from Iraq’s High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR), cited also by the AFP. Though the initial protest origins remain obscure, the larger wave on Wednesday has been generally seen as fueled by anger over corruption, unemployment, and the lack of basic services.