Iran: on the sidelines of football, new demonstrations in Balochistan
An Iranian fan holding up a sign reading Mahsan Amini's name at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, November 25, 2022. AP - Francisco Seco
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While Iranians took to the streets of Tehran to celebrate the victory of their national football team, this Friday, November 25, for their second match at the Qatar World Cup, new demonstrations also took place in the province of Sistan-et -Balochistan.
They were violently repressed, according to activists who speak of several victims.
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While the Republic of Iran beat Wales at the 2022 World Cup in Doha, and people took to the streets to express their joy, the protest movement against the regime continues, two and a half months after the death of Mahsa Amini, young woman arrested for a poorly put on veil.
An Iranian supporter, pictured before the start of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Wales and Iran, in Al Rayan, Qatar, this Friday, November 25, 2022. AP - Alessandra Tarantino
Tirelessly on Friday, protesters take to the streets in Zahedan, but also Khash or Saravan, towns in Balochistan.
This predominantly Sunni province, in a largely Shiite country, has been mobilizing since the beginning of the movement to support its "brothers of Kurdistan".
In any case, this is what can be heard in the slogans chanted during the demonstrations;
demonstrations repressed once again in violence today, if we are to believe the testimonies of certain activists and the videos circulating on social networks.
Two riot policemen wave Iranian flags after Iran defeated Wales in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, at Sadeghieh Square in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. AP - Vahid Salemi
On the side of Kurdistan, the region where Mahsa Amini was from, the tension remains high.
The Revolutionary Guards, armed wing of the Iranian regime, announced that they were sending armored units and special forces of the army on the spot, to reinforce the border between Iran and Iraq.
Tehran says it wants to prevent the infiltration of armed groups affiliated with Kurdish separatists.
The Revolutionary Guards have twice this week targeted several bases of the Iranian Kurdish opposition who have taken refuge in Iraq for decades.
►Read also: Iran: arrest of famous footballer Voria Ghafouri, critic of power
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