Iraq has descended into chaos with 22 militants slaughtered as others stormed a fortified government palace where mobs were seen frolicking in the swimming pool.
Iraqi security forces fired rockets into Baghdad's Green Zone - a fortified government district in the centre of the capital - as clashes between rival Shi-ite groups continued into the second day with the worst fighting seen there in years.
Baghdad's streets were mostly empty on Tuesday. Gunmen cruised in pickup trucks carrying machine guns and brandishing grenade launchers, but residents observed a curfew. Overnight, sustained gun and rocket fire rang out across the city.
