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Approximately 10 dead, including kids, when Iranian forces fire on peaceful protestors: Report

November 5, 2022 | | Print Article

According to Amnesty International in Iran, as many as 10 people, including children, were killed on Friday after security forces fired live ammunition at “peaceful protesters” in the city of Khash in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

“According to footage & accounts received from eyewitnesses from Khash, Sistan & Baluchestan province, since 2pm local time, security forces have been firing live ammunition at peaceful protesters from the rooftops of the Governor’s office & several other buildings,” the human rights watchdog reported on Twitter.

“The crackdown is feared to have left up to 10 people including children dead and dozens more injured,” Amnesty continued, adding that it is “gravely concerned about further bloodshed amid internet disruptions and reports of authorities bringing more security forces to Khash from Zahedan.”

“The province, neighboring Pakistan and Afghanistan, is home to members of the long-oppressed predominantly Sunni Muslim Baluch ethnic minority and has a history of unrest,” CNN explains.

For 50 days, the Iranian people have joined together in nationwide protests condemning the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was detained by morality police in Tehran.

Videos of the chaos were shared online, showing wounded and unconscious protesters in Khash.

“Today, after the Friday prayer in Makkah Mosque, the atmosphere of Sistan and Baluchistan became inflamed again,” reported Iran’s “semi-official” Fars News Agency, according to translations from Google. “The governorate, the building of Jihad Agriculture and several other government buildings, several kiosks and police cars, people’s private cars and almost all banks were set on fire by rioters who were provoked by the Makkah Mosque.”

“During today’s unrest in Khash, several people were killed and injured, the exact number of which has not yet been announced,” the agency stated.

As CNN notes, the death toll “is impossible for those outside Iran’s government to confirm.”

“Numbers vary by opposition groups, international rights organizations, and local journalists,” the outlet states.

Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran and leader of the People’s Mujahedin of Iran put the count at “at least 20.”

“On Day 50 of #Iranprotests, Khamenei embarked on a new massacre against our fellow Baluch citizens,” she tweeted. “His forces barraged the people of Khash, who were marching with chants of ‘death to Khamenei’ after Friday prayers. At least 20 were killed, & more than 60 wounded.”

“Uprisings in Zahedan, Khash, in Sistan-and-Baluchestan prove that our Baluch compatriots are determined to bring down the bloodthirsty religious fascism,” she continued. “They have paid the highest price with chants of ‘from Zahedan to Tehran, we give our lives for #Iran.'”

Said Amnesty Iran, “Iran’s authorities must immediately rein in security forces. Member states of the UN must immediately raise concern with Iran’s ambassadors and support the establishment of independent investigative mechanism by @UN_HRC.”

Across Twitter, it appears that the entire nation is demanding an end to Khamenei and the tyrannical Islamic mullahs.

On Saturday — Day 51 of the uprising — Iran News Update reported that Rhast University students are fearlessly chanting “Freedom, freedom, freedom!”

Additionally, the outlet reported that “Protesting youths set fire to the photo of Khamenei, the leader of the Iranian mullahs, in the Safaiye area of Yazd.”

It is a revolutionary spirit that hopes to bring freedom and peace to a nation that has suffered under a violent, intolerant regime for far too long.

“Khamenei has committed another crime against humanity by slaughtering the worshipers protesting in Khash,” wrote Rajavi. “The world must reject a regime relying on crimes against humanity & genocide. The UNSC must examine the case, and regime leaders, esp. Khamenei & Raisi, must face justice.”

 

Melissa Fine
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