突尼斯首都发生暴动

Fresh protests have broken out in a suburb of the Tunisian capital, Tunis.

突尼斯首都郊区附近发生新一轮抗议活动。

Police reportedly fired into the air to disperse¹（分散） protesters in Ettadamen, 15km (9 miles) from the centre of Tunis.

Officials have said 21 people were killed in protests in recent days, though union and health officials say the toll² may be at least 50.

The protests have been attributed to anger over unemployment and political frustrations³. It is the most serious unrest in Tunisia for decades.

In the working-class suburb of Ettadamen, Reuters news agency reported that youths threw stones at police and vandalised（破坏） shops, cars and a government office.

Security forces responded by firing tear gas canisters（筒，小罐） and shots into the air.

"We are not afraid, we are not afraid, we are afraid only of God," demonstrators chanted.

Earlier, police used force to disperse demonstrations⁴ there by artists and journalists protesting against the shooting of demonstrators.

The government also said four civilians⁵ had been killed by police who acted in self defence in the town of Kasserine. But local residents say the protesters were shot dead by police snipers（狙击手） on rooftops.