The recent killing of a protester fueled renewed anti-government demonstrations in Basra city and around several oil fields, some of which turned deadly.
IS militants are exploiting major security gaps in northern Iraq to blow up electricity towers and target security forces.
As protests re-gain momentum at key oil sites in Basra, Mayahi details the network of government forces providing security and the challenges they face.
A demonstration threatens to shut down roads into the West Qurna 1 oil field as protesters, emboldened by a supportive message from Sistani, rail against government failures.
A shut-down of transmission lines left millions without power for hours, reinforcing the grievances of a protest movement that has caused minor disruptions at oil sites.
Attacks on Basra oil field and power lines mean promises of jobs and services have yet to settle concerns.
Widespread civil unrest has begun to subside, at least temporarily - leaving key oil sites disrupted but intact.
Demonstrators turned violent on fifth straight day of protests in an attempt to enter Basra oil fields, though were repelled by security forces.
Unknown assailants alleged to be the self-proclaimed Islamic State killed workers at a pipeline warehouse in Dibis, northwest of Kirkuk.
Iraqi authorities have discovered several small-scale smuggling rackets in and around Basra over the past year.
