In pictures: Iraq engulfed in protests

Since 1 October, thousands of people have descended on Baghdad’s Tahrir Square protesting the lack of jobs, poor working conditions and widespread corruption. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/ AFP)

An Iraqi protester washes his eyes to clean out tear gas, fired by police during the demonstrations. On 2 October, Iraq's president and the United Nations urged security forces to show restraint after two protesters were killed in clashes with police, which other top officials blamed on "infiltrators". (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/ AFP)

Security forces have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse more than 1,000 protesters in central Baghdad. Iraq is considered the 12th most corrupt country in the world according to Transparency International. Power cuts are rampant, water shortages are common and unemployment is high, particularly among youth. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/ AFP)

Men gather around a fallen protester affected by tear gas amid clashes with Iraqi riot police. The chaotic protests and ensuing clashes with riot police in Baghdad and several southern cities have left over a dozen protesters and one police officer dead.  (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/ AFP)

“Iraq doesn't belong to your father” - protesters chant slogans during a demonstration across Baghdad, Najaf and Nasiriyah. “We don't want this corrupt government," protesters have chanted. “All are corrupt equally!" (Haidar Hamdani/AFP)

Youth unemployment in Iraq is running at around 25 percent, according to the World Bank, in a country where the vast majority of the population is under 30. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP)

Despite escalating violence, a group of men stopped to offer prayers during mass protests in Baghdad. (Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters)

An elderly protester raises his cane as Iraqi security forces stand guard. The Iraqi government has attempted to block access to Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media platforms. Later on Wednesday, Iraq imposed curfews on three cities, Nassiriya, Amara and Hilla, in the country's south. (Khalid al-Mousily/ Reuters)

Anti-government protesters in Baghdad burn an armoured vehicle belonging to the Iraqi Rapid Response Force at a protest during a curfew, two days after the nationwide anti-government protests turned violent. (Essam Al-sudani/Reuters)

Civilian activists mourn the death of their friends killed during clashes with security forces in Basra. Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds wounded so far in violent demonstrations that have escalated by the day. Mahmoud Rakan, a Baghdad-based protester, told MEE that "the protesters' corpses had bloodied the streets". (Essam Al-sudani/Reuters)

Funeral processions took place in Basra after a night of violent clashes between civilian activists and secruity forces.

On Friday, the Reuters news agency put the death toll across Iraq since the protests began at 44, while the AFP news agency put the total at 36. Hundreds of people have been wounded as security forces opened fire to disperse the crowds, and demonstrators in some areas have shot back. (Essam Al-sudani/Reuters)