Testimony

Iran: Sanandaj, particularly targeted by the repression of demonstrations

Audio 01:15

Photo obtained by AFP outside Iran, showing Iranians protesting in Sanandaj, the capital of Iran's Kurdistan province, on September 19, 2022. AFP - -

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

The city of Sanandaj has been particularly targeted in recent days by the repression of demonstrations in Iran.

It is the capital of Kurdistan of Iran, province of origin of Mahsa Amini whose death triggered the national uprising.

The traditional security forces have been replaced by the Revolutionary Guards.

They reportedly aimed machine guns at protesters and took control of hospitals to arrest the victims, according to the NGO Hengaw.

Advertising

Read more

It is one of the few sources of information on the situation in the province of Kurdistan.

Awyar Shekhi, from the Kurdish NGO Hengaw, explains to

, from the international editorial staff of RFI, how this new episode of the uprising began.

On Saturday, as people gathered for another protest, a man was killed in his car by security forces.

It spread anger and pushed more people into the streets.

The mob took almost every street in Sanandaj.

The suppressive forces then opened fire directly on the people using heavy machine guns.

Much of the city is without internet connection, which makes it difficult to confirm this information independently.

But on social networks, many voices are warning about the current situation in a particularly strategic city in Iran, according to Awyar Shekhi.

Sanandaj has a long history of resistance against the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is the symbol of Kurdish resistance.

If the regime forces lose control of this city, it will encourage all Iranians to demonstrate in greater numbers.

The NGO Hengaw denounces a new crime against humanity underway in Sanandaj.

She also recalls that the repression has always been particularly violent in regions populated by ethnic minorities such as the Kurds and the Baluchis.

Ten days ago, the repression of demonstrations in Sistan-Baluchistan claimed 90 lives in a single day.

►Read also: Iran: demonstrations continue in Tehran and in the provinces

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

• Iran

• Kurds