More than 600 people were arrested in Tunisia on the third consecutive night of protests and violence in the North African nation throughout several cities in Tunisia.

Defense ministry spokesman Mohamed Zikri said that the government already deployed troops in several key areas. Troops and riot police are reportedly now in place in cities such as Bizerte, Kasserine, Sousse, and Siliana.

Riots erupted in the country after officials imposed a nationwide lockdown late last week. The protests occurred on the same day as the 10th anniversary of the fall of dictator Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and the Arab Spring protest celebration.

Tunisian officials said that the situation was relatively calm on Tuesday. Interior ministry spokesman Khaled Hayouni said that authorities arrested a total of 632 people the night before.

Police also arrested a group of teenagers that were caught burning tires and garbage bins to block security force movements. Most of those that were arrested were protesters that lobbed stones and other projectiles at police officers.

"This has nothing to do with protest movements that are guaranteed by the law and the constitution. Protests take place in broad daylight normally... without any criminal acts involved," Hayouni said.

In the capital city of Tunis, officers reportedly resorted to using tear gas in order to disperse unruly demonstrators.

Rights group Amnesty International issued a statement on Tuesday calling on the government to release all the arrested demonstrators.

"Nothing gives security forces permission to deploy unnecessary and excessive force including when they are responding to acts of sporadic violence," Amnesty International said.

Tunisia's economy has continued to suffer even after its people rose up to dethrone oppressive regimes. Tunisians have continued to express dissatisfaction with the lack of change since the Arab Spring revolt in 2010.

Tunisia continues to be one of the poorest countries in the region with a third of its population still unemployed. The country's declining GDP and skyrocketing consumer prices have resulted in frustration that was exacerbated by the spread of the coronavirus disease.