Emergency declared in Iraq

The state of emergency was declared by the government after clashes broke out in Baghdad.

The Iraqi government declared a state of emergency in Baghdad on Friday, the Prime Minister's Office said, after clashes broke out in a central district.

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It also imposed a 2 pm to 6 pm curfew, sending residents of the capital scrambling to get home before it took effect.

The prime minister's office did not immediately give more details about the state of emergency, but it was announced after police said gunmen opened fire on a joint US-Iraqi patrol in the Shwaka district of central Baghdad.