DHAKA, July 18 (Reuters) - On Thursday, thousands of students, armed with rocks and sticks, clashed with police in Dhaka as the Bangladesh government disabled parts of the mobile internet service to diffuse ongoing anti-quota protests responsible for at least 12 deaths so far this week.

The protests, the largest seen since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth consecutive term, are primarily driven by high youth unemployment. Currently, nearly 20% of Bangladesh's 170 million people are either unemployed or not enrolled in any form of education.

Thursday saw six new fatalities in Dhaka, including a bus driver found with a bullet wound to the chest and a university student, according to officials speaking to Reuters. Additionally, hundreds were reported injured.

Law Minister Anisul Huq stated the government's readiness to engage in talks with the protesters, who are advocating for the removal of the 30% reservation of public sector jobs for families of those who participated in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

Up to this point, Prime Minister Hasina, daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—the country's founding father—has resisted the protesters’ appeals.

"We’re open to dialogue," Huq said, "Whenever they choose, the conversation can take place."

Earlier in the day, police resorted to using tear gas to disperse protesters near a Dhaka university campus, while authorities reduced mobile internet services to curtail the mass gatherings.

In Chittagong, the country’s primary southern port city, police also deployed tear gas to break up students who were throwing stones and blocking a major highway.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka announced a closure for Thursday, urging American citizens to avoid the demonstrations. Similarly, the Indian Embassy released a comparable advisory.

Starting Wednesday, authorities had ordered the indefinite closure of all public and private universities, deploying riot police and Border Guards to campuses to maintain order.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear on August 7 the government’s appeal against a High Court ruling that restored the quota system. Prime Minister Hasina has asked students to remain patient until the decision.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, along with both the United Nations and the United States, have called on the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of peaceful protesters.