After Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi offered to resign on Friday, here is a recap of the unrest which is focused in the capital and southern provinces.

- Spontaneous gatherings -

On October 1, hundreds of people gather in Baghdad and cities in southern Iraq in leaderless protests against corruption, unemployment and poor public services.

Riot police use water cannons, rubber bullets and live fire to disperse a crowd of about 1,000 in the capital's Tahrir (Liberation) Square, which becomes the focus of the protest movement.

The first two demonstrators are killed, one in Baghdad and another in a southern province.

- Unrest spreads -

The next day, protests multiply across southern Iraq.

Influential firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr announces support for "peaceful protests" despite leading the biggest bloc in parliament and being a main sponsor of the government.

On October 3, thousands defy a curfew in Baghdad and other cities, blockading streets and burning tyres.

Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi defends his year-old government on television, asking for more time to implement reforms.

On October 4, as clashes intensify in Baghdad, Sadr calls on the government to resign and for early elections.

On October 6, the cabinet announces reforms including land distribution, boosted social welfare and the ousting of corrupt officials.

- Deadly second wave -

After a two-week pause, protests resume on October 24, a day before the anniversary of Abdel Mahdi taking office.

In an escalation, protesters in the south torch dozens of provincial government buildings and offices linked to the powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

At least 63 people are killed over two days, according to the Iraqi Human Rights Commission.

The protests swell on October 28 as students, schoolchildren and professors join rallies in Baghdad and southern cities.

- Politicians scramble -

On October 31, President Barham Saleh raises the possibility of early parliamentary elections and the prime minister's resignation.

On November 3, demonstrators in the central city of Karbala attack the Iranian consulate, amid charges that Iran is propping up the government. Four are shot dead.

The next day Iraqi security forces fire live rounds as protesters mass near Baghdad's state television headquarters.

Abdel Mahdi says on November 5 early elections would be unrealistic under the current constitution, a hint that he intends to stay on.

On November 9, Iran brokers a back-room deal to keep Abdel Mahdi's government in office.

- Iran mission torched -

On November 17, Iraqis flood the streets of Baghdad and southern cities in a general strike.

There are bomb blasts across Baghdad on November 26 which kill six people and are claimed by the Islamic State group.

On November 27, protesters torch the Iranian consulate in the holy city of Najaf, shouting "Iran out!"

The following day is one of the bloodiest in the uprising, with 46 protesters killed and 1,000 wounded across the country, including around two dozen in the southern city of Nasiriyah.

On November 29, demonstrators in Nasiriyah mob a police station and torch police cars. Another 15 protesters are killed.

There are also new clashes in Najaf.

- PM offers to resign -

At his Friday sermon, Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani calls for a new government, in a show of support for the demonstrators.

Hours later Abdel Mahdi says he will submit his resignation to parliament.