Here is a recap of the unrest since July:

- First death -

On July 8 dozens of people protest against unemployment in the port city of Basra. Security forces open fire and one person is killed.

Basra is the most oil-rich province in Iraq but is one of the worst served in infrastructure.

On July 12 Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi says protesters there have tried to break into an oil installation and have set fire to a gate and security post.

- Protests spread -

The next day hundreds of people protest in the centre of Basra, including in front of the local provincial headquarters.

Protests spread northwards to other regions with demonstrators taking to the streets in Dhi Qar, Maysan and Najaf provinces.

Dozens of people force their way into the waiting room at the airport serving the holy city of Najaf and several civilians and policemen are injured in clashes around the city of Nasiriyah.

Iraq's top Shiite authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani voices support for the protesters.

- Promises fail to quell protests-

On July 14 two protesters are killed in a shooting in the province of Muthanna, south of the capital Baghdad.

Demonstrators set alight the Basra headquarters of the Iranian-backed Badr organisation, prompting authorities to impose an overnight curfew across the province.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announces investment worth $3 billion (2.6 billion euros) for Basra province, as well as pledging additional spending on housing, schools and services.

But the next day two more protesters are killed in a shooting in front of the governor's headquarters in Samawah, the largest city in Muthanna province.

Renewed clashes between security forces and protesters in Basra city leave 50 people injured near the governor's headquarters, the majority protesters.

Abadi meets with security and intelligence chiefs in Baghdad and warns them to be on alert but orders security services not to use live fire against unarmed civilians.

- Clashes in the capital -

On July 20 a man is killed after being shot in the southern city of Diwaniyah a medical source says, as hundreds of people gather outside the local headquarters of Badr.

Protests reach Baghdad. Hundreds of demonstrators are dispersed by water canon and tear gas as they head towards the fortified Green Zone, a high-security area where the government is headquartered.

On July 27 several hundred people take to the streets in Baghdad and chant "No to corruption!" and "Iran out!", and accuse leaders of being "thieves" and "corrupt".

- Electricity minister out -

Two days later Abadi sacks his minister of electricity Qassem al-Fahdawi -- whose departure had been demanded by protesters -- "because of the deterioration in the electricity sector".

On August 9 he sacks four electricity ministry officials.

- Green Zone hit -

On September 2 hundreds of protesters block different strategic parts of Basra province.

Two days later six demonstrators are killed in Basra city, according to a local official, the bloodiest day since the beginning of the unrest.

On September 7 overnight unidentified attackers fire shells into Baghdad's Green Zone. Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani denounces "the bad behaviour of senior officials".

Hundreds of protesters torch the Iranian consulate in Basra.

On September 8 unidentified assailants fire four rockets at Basra airport.

The health ministry says 12 people have been killed over the past five days.