Iraqi forces fired live rounds Wednesday to disperse anti-government protesters in Baghdad, killing at least one person after hundreds were wounded a day earlier.

The demonstrations are the first major popular challenge to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, who formed his government a year ago this month and who has blamed the violence on “aggressors” among the protesters.

On Wednesday, Tahrir Square was sealed off by security forces, with some demonstrators gathering around the edges.

Smaller crowds took to the streets in Al-Shaab in north Baghdad and Zaafaraniya in the south, according to Agence France-Presse, with riot police trying to disperse them with tear gas and live rounds fired in the air.

Like the previous day, the demonstrators railed against corruption, failing public services and unemployment.

“I came out today in support of my brothers in Tahrir Square,” said Abdallah Walid, 27. “We want jobs and better public services. We’ve been demanding them for years and the government has never responded.”

On Tuesday, riot police had used water cannons, rubber bullets and live rounds to break up the protest of about 1,000 people in Tahrir Square.

The Health Ministry said at least two people were killed and 286 were wounded nationwide, among them 40 members of the security forces, the Washington Post reported.

The protesters included dozens of university graduates who are unable to find jobs in the corruption-plagued but oil-rich country. Politicians denounced the violence and at least one, influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, called for an investigation.

The demonstrations began peacefully Tuesday but soon turned violent after police fought back protesters with water cannons, tear gas and live ammo.

Protesters responded by calling for toppling the government, while throwing stones at security forces and setting tires and trash containers on fire.

With Post wires