Civil disobedience continues in Iraq. Unions of teachers, engineers, doctors and lawyers called for a general strike on Sunday, November 3, paralyzing most public schools and administrations in Baghdad and southern parts of the country.

In Tahrir Square, epicenter of protest in the capital, protesters are organizing. In dozens of tents, Iraqis offer medical care, legal advice, supplies or hot dishes. Everything is offered free of charge. "Everything is provided by Iraqis, when I call my friends and tell them that I need support, the support comes in, says Ayad Kadhim Muhsen, a volunteer in France 24. Despite all the resources of the state, the government does not have what we have. "

Tahrir Square has become the model state to which Iraqis aspire. The protest, born on October 1, was marked by deadly violence that officially killed at least 257 people. But since its resumption on October 24, it has taken a more festive turn and is now organized by students and unions.

The promises of early elections, reforms of the hiring system and pensions, have not appeased the anger of the Iraqis.

Significant economic impact

For several days, demonstrators are also blocking the road leading to the port of Umm Qasr (south), raising concerns of the authorities for imports, including food. Dozens of boats have hit the road without being able to unload their cargo, according to AFP.

Signs that the authorities are worried about a significant economic impact, Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi came out of his silence Sunday night, ensuring that "many claims have already been satisfied" and that now must "return to life normal ".

An activist kidnapped

This unprecedented mobilization is threatened by a campaign of intimidation and violence, regularly denounced by the international community and human rights defenders. Media were attacked, bloggers and activists kidnapped and several figures denounced a "new Republic of fear".

On Sunday, the Government Human Rights Commission announced the kidnapping of activist and doctor Saba Mahdaoui, denouncing "organized kidnapping operations", while another activist has just been released.

Her mother and activists said she was kidnapped by "armed and masked pickup" men as she returned from Tahrir Saturday night. "This is a shame for all Iraqi society," denounced the head of the parliamentary commission for human rights.

Night violence

Former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi complained that "those who have been able to locate ISIS head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi can not locate Saba Mahdaoui and find out who removed ".

In Tahrir, night violence has once again killed one person, according to medical sources, as well as dozens wounded.

If no live ammunition no longer takes place - as it was the case in early October - the deployed forces fire tear gas canisters ten times heavier than elsewhere in the world who can crack skulls and breaking bones, according to Amnesty International.

With AFP