Followed by the resignation of the governor of Nasiriyah province in southern Iraq, the governor of Iraq's Najaf Louai al-Yasseri, resigned on Friday in response to protests against living conditions and corruption. 

Their resignations highlight the difficulties facing Iraq, as tens of thousands of people flocked to the streets to protest corruption, unemployment, and deteriorating public services, and hundreds were killed in protest-related violence. 

In recent weeks, demonstrations have broken out across Najaf and Diwaniya, and Nasiriyah. 

Protesters have criticized housing conditions and demanded employment prospects for recent grads.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi discussed the protests during a security conference on Wednesday and emphasized the need of avoiding the use of force.

According to a local medical source, the governor of Nasiriyah, Ahmed Ghani Khafaji resigned the next day after three protesters were shot and injured.