Dario Salvi

Moved by a renewed shared of Iraqiness, protesters, young and old, block roads, shut down schools and public offices in the capital and southern cities. The Iranian consulate in Karbala is attacked. The Chaldean patriarch visits protesters in Tahrir Square and donates medical drugs. An ecumenical prayer is held for peace and stability.

The cardinal renews appeal for a limited-term executive that knows how to collect the "hopes" of a people and that works "for the good of all Lebanese". Demonstrators ask to preserve "national unity" and "wisdom". This morning the protesters blocked the main roads of Beirut and other cities.

This follows a BBC Arabic investigation and touches several Gulf countries. Women offered as "workers" and filtered according to criteria like age, race, character, origins. The sponsorship system (Kefala) is one of the factors that has facilitated the practice.

The Committee is meeting under the aegis of the United Nations in Geneva. A “safe and neutral environment” is essential to “enable Syria to hold free and fair elections”. An appeal is made for the ceasefire in Idlib. At least 40 refugee families left Lebanon to return to Syria.

International activists and NGOs accuse the Ankara military and their allies. Local sources speak of "serious violations and war crimes", including summary executions and attacks. Militiamen expropriate Christian lands and collect crops. Ras al-Ayn Christians victims like the Kurds in Afrin.

Khalf Rasho Younis, a native of Sinjar and now a refugee in Iraqi Kurdistan, speaks about his experience. The Caliph’s death brings "limited joy" because “there are thousands of al-Baghdadis”. Feeling abandoned by the international community, he trusts “the Church, which works for everyone.” he also asks “European nations not to forget us.”

The sudden decision, without a public announcement and clarifications. 34-year-old Ebrahim Firoozi, convicted of forming a Christian group to "disturb national security” is free. Four journalists and two workers' rights activists were released under "astronomical" bail.

Church leaders express fear the country might be “slipping into the unknown”. They call on the government to take “historic and courageous” steps towards reform. They stress the need for “courageous and responsible” cultural dialogue, and call for prayers for the dead and wounded. Overnight violence in Kerbala has left 18 people dead and 865 wounded.

The demonstrators challenged the night curfew and poured into the streets and squares. In response, security forces (and masked men) opened fire. On social media, videos of violence. A child in tears screams: "My father was killed". Since October 1, over 260 dead and 3600 wounded.

Over the weekend, 74 people were killed and hundreds wounded in clashes with high school and university students joining the protest. Prime Minister's spokesman threatened severe punishment. The Chaldean primate is close to young people, who are not politicised but only “want peace, a dignified life, a future and a job.”

The protesters tried to force the blockade and enter the "Green Zone". Eight victims in Baghdad, another three in Nassyria. At least 68 wounded among the security forces. A protester: "We are not hungry, we ask for dignity". Al-Sistani calls for "moderation" and to avoid "chaos".

Erdogan's military attacked Assad's army in three villages in the north-east, causing "martyrs and wounded". At least three victims of the Kurds in an assault on the Syrian Democratic Forces. US Defense Secretary speaks of actions that put at risk the stability achieved. Moscow sends other troops to guard the territory.