In the impoverished Tunisian city of Kasserine, angry protesters roam the streets in frustration as mass youth unemployment continues to grow. Five years after the protests that toppled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and sparked the Arab Spring, thousands of Tunisians have taken to the streets chanting "work, freedom, dignity".

Many are blaming the current unemployment rates on the indifference of former Ben Ali regime officials like current President Beji Caid Essebsi, who have returned to power even after a revolution that forced some of them to flee the country into exile.

Tunisia protests
Protesters shout slogans during a protest outside the local government office in Kasserine, Tunisia Amine Ben Aziza/ Reuters
Tunisia protests
Tyres set on fire by Tunisian young graduates, to show solidarity with protests in the central Tunisian town of Kasserine, block the road in the south eastern town of Ben Guerdane, Tunisia Fathi Nasri/ Getty Images
Tunisia protests
Othman Yahyaoui (L) holds a photograph of his son Ridha Yahyaoui, who committed suicide, in Kasserine, Tunisia Amine Ben Aziza/ Reuters

The country is becoming a clear example of the dangers in failing to tackle economic malaise, alienation and the frustrations of its youth, as disaffected young men threaten to kill themselves. Some attempts have been made, including two youths left injured after they tried to throw themselves off the roof of a local government building in anger over the lack of jobs.

Mohamed Bouazizi a young, desperate Tunisian, set himself alight in 2010 during a suicide protest over unemployment and police abuse that spread revolt across the Arab world. He died in hospital weeks later.

In 2015 Ridha Yahyaoui killed himself after being refused a job amid the protests through the same impoverished towns that brought down the regime of Ben Ali. "Ridha killed himself because he lost hope," said his father, clutching a photograph of his son. "I have lost my son, but I warn the authorities: my son will be the new Bouazizi and his death with create more protests for work and dignity."

Tunisia protests
Riot policemen walk on a road during a protest in Kasserine. Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters demanding jobs in the impoverished Tunisian city of Kasserine , as smaller demonstrations broke out in the capital and at least eight other towns Amine Ben Aziza/ Reuters
Tunisia protests
A young Tunisian who tried to commit suicide is carried by a member of the Tunisian army after witnesses said they saved his life in Kasserine Mohemed Khalil/ Getty Images
Tunisia protests
An army soldier tries to disperse protesters as he stands guard with his comrades outside the local government office during a protest in Kasserine
Tunisia protests
Tyres are burning on a street during clashes following protests after the death of an unemployed man in Kasserine Mohemed Khalil/ Getty Images
Tunisia protests
People pull up a man that witnesses said was unemployed and had tried to commit suicide near the local government office during a protest in Kasserine Amine Ben Aziza/ Reuters
Tunisia protests
Tunisian protesters clash with security forces in Kasserine Mohemed Khalil/ Getty Images

Tunisian police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of job-seeking protesters during the second day of riots and demonstrations, with protesters gathering outside government offices, demanding a solution to the region's dire unemployment. In the town centre, small groups set up roadblocks with burning tyres, triggering clashes with security forces in which hundreds have been injured.

Tunisia protests
Tunisian special force stand guard in the central city of Kasserine during protests which were triggered by the death of an unemployed man who climbed atop a power pole near the governor's office and was electrocuted Mohemed Khalil/ Getty Images
Tunisia protests
Protesters stand in tear gas during clashes with police outside the local government office in Kasserine Amine Ben Aziza/ Reuters
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