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Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

  • <p>Tunisian police track down rioters in Tunis’ Djebel Lahmer district early on Jan. 10, 2018 after price hikes ignited protests in the North African country. (Photo: Sofiene Hamdaoui/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
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    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Tunisian police track down rioters in Tunis’ Djebel Lahmer district early on Jan. 10, 2018 after price hikes ignited protests in the North African country. (Photo: Sofiene Hamdaoui/AFP/Getty Images)

  • <p>Tear gas smoke billows as Tunisian protestors throw stones towards security forces in Tunis’ Djebel Lahmer district early on Jan. 10, 2018 after price hikes ignited protests in the North African country. (Photo: Sofiene Hamdaoui/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
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    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Tear gas smoke billows as Tunisian protestors throw stones towards security forces in Tunis’ Djebel Lahmer district early on Jan. 10, 2018 after price hikes ignited protests in the North African country. (Photo: Sofiene Hamdaoui/AFP/Getty Images)

  • <p>Tunisian protestors throw stones towards security forces in Tunis’ Djebel Lahmer district early on Jan.10, 2018 after price hikes ignited protests in the North African country. (Photo: Sofiene Hamdaoui/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
    3/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Tunisian protestors throw stones towards security forces in Tunis’ Djebel Lahmer district early on Jan.10, 2018 after price hikes ignited protests in the North African country. (Photo: Sofiene Hamdaoui/AFP/Getty Images)

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  • <p>Riot police patrol in the streets of Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, during anti-government protests, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP) </p>
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    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Riot police patrol in the streets of Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, during anti-government protests, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP)

  • <p>Riot police patrol in the streets of Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, after clashes with demonstrators, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP) </p>
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    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Riot police patrol in the streets of Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, after clashes with demonstrators, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP)

  • <p>Protesters confront riot police during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
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    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Protesters confront riot police during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • <p>Demonstrators take the streets during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
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    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Demonstrators take the streets during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP)

  • <p>Riot police hold their positions near a fire after clashes with demonstrators in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP) </p>
    8/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Riot police hold their positions near a fire after clashes with demonstrators in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP)

  • <p>Protesters throw stones during demonstrations against rising prices and tax increases, in Tebourba, Tunisia, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters) </p>
    9/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Protesters throw stones during demonstrations against rising prices and tax increases, in Tebourba, Tunisia, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

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  • <p>Police vehicles stop in front of burning tires set up by protesters during demonstrations against rising prices and tax increases, in Tunis, Tunisia, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters) </p>
    10/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Police vehicles stop in front of burning tires set up by protesters during demonstrations against rising prices and tax increases, in Tunis, Tunisia, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters)

  • <p>Riot police clash with protesters during demonstrations against rising prices and tax increases, in Tebourba, Tunisia, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters) </p>
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    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Riot police clash with protesters during demonstrations against rising prices and tax increases, in Tebourba, Tunisia, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters)

  • <p>A wounded riot police officer is evacuated during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
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    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    A wounded riot police officer is evacuated during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • <p>People gather during a protest against the 2018 budget in Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Hassene Dridi/AP) </p>
    13/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    People gather during a protest against the 2018 budget in Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Hassene Dridi/AP)

  • <p>Tunisian riot police officers line up during a protest against the 2018 budget in Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Hassene Dridi/AP) </p>
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    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Tunisian riot police officers line up during a protest against the 2018 budget in Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Hassene Dridi/AP)

  • <p>Riot police patrol in the streets of Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, after anti-government protests, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP) </p>
    15/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Riot police patrol in the streets of Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, after anti-government protests, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

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  • <p>Protesters take the streets in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, during anti-government protests, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
    16/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Protesters take the streets in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, during anti-government protests, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP)

  • <p>Riot police chase demonstrators during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
    17/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Riot police chase demonstrators during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP)

  • <p>Protesters take the streets during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
    18/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Protesters take the streets during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Protesters run away from tear gas during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
    19/19

    Protests turn violent in Tunisia over price hikes

    Protesters run away from tear gas during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP)

<p>Tunisian police track down rioters in Tunis’ Djebel Lahmer district early on Jan. 10, 2018 after price hikes ignited protests in the North African country. (Photo: Sofiene Hamdaoui/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Tear gas smoke billows as Tunisian protestors throw stones towards security forces in Tunis’ Djebel Lahmer district early on Jan. 10, 2018 after price hikes ignited protests in the North African country. (Photo: Sofiene Hamdaoui/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Tunisian protestors throw stones towards security forces in Tunis’ Djebel Lahmer district early on Jan.10, 2018 after price hikes ignited protests in the North African country. (Photo: Sofiene Hamdaoui/AFP/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Riot police patrol in the streets of Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, during anti-government protests, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP) </p>
<p>Riot police patrol in the streets of Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, after clashes with demonstrators, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP) </p>
<p>Protesters confront riot police during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
<p>Demonstrators take the streets during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
<p>Riot police hold their positions near a fire after clashes with demonstrators in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP) </p>
<p>Protesters throw stones during demonstrations against rising prices and tax increases, in Tebourba, Tunisia, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters) </p>
<p>Police vehicles stop in front of burning tires set up by protesters during demonstrations against rising prices and tax increases, in Tunis, Tunisia, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters) </p>
<p>Riot police clash with protesters during demonstrations against rising prices and tax increases, in Tebourba, Tunisia, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters) </p>
<p>A wounded riot police officer is evacuated during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
<p>People gather during a protest against the 2018 budget in Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Hassene Dridi/AP) </p>
<p>Tunisian riot police officers line up during a protest against the 2018 budget in Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Hassene Dridi/AP) </p>
<p>Riot police patrol in the streets of Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, after anti-government protests, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Amine Landoulsi/AP) </p>
<p>Protesters take the streets in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, during anti-government protests, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
<p>Riot police chase demonstrators during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
<p>Protesters take the streets during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
<p>Protesters run away from tear gas during anti-government protests, in Tebourba, south of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, Jan. 9, 2018. (Photo: Anis Ben Ali/AP) </p>
Yahoo News Photo Staff

More than 200 people have been arrested and dozens hurt during clashes in several parts of Tunisia, the interior ministry said Wednesday, after a second night of unrest driven by anger over austerity measures.

The North African country has been hailed for its relatively smooth democratic transition since its 2011 uprising, but seven years after the revolution tensions over economic grievances are high.

Tunisia has seen rising anger over hikes in value-added tax and social contributions after a tough new budget was applied at the start of the year.

Interior ministry spokesman Khalifa Chibani told local radio that 49 police officers were wounded during clashes across the country and that 206 “troublemakers” were arrested overnight.

Properties were damaged, he said, including a branch of the Carrefour supermarket chain in the suburbs of Tunis that was looted.

A witness said youths threw stones at shop windows on Tuesday evening, taking advantage of the chaos to steal goods including electrical appliances. The police intervened, firing tear gas.

The army has been deployed around banks, post offices and other government buildings in the country’s main cities, the defense ministry said. (AFP)

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