|
Iran Focus
 Tehran, Iran, Aug. 03 – Iran’s State Security forces opened
lethal fire on protesters in the western town of Saqqez from a military helicopter on
Wednesday, eye-witnesses reported.
Anti-government protesters set fire to the town’s principal prayer hall and
vehicles belonging to the police on Wednesday morning. Various government
buildings including the governor’s office were also attacked and the
commander of State Security Forces was beaten by protestors. A government
agency, Bonyad Panzdah Khordad, was completely ransacked.
Witnesses reported that women took part in great numbers during today’s
clashes with the security forces. One witness described how several women
attacked policemen who had detained a teenage boy and freed him.
In Hahlou Square, protestors chanted “Down with Khamenei”, referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In an attempt to contain the unrest, agents of the SSF opened fire on
protestors. There were reports of several people being killed by SSF gunfire.
By early afternoon, at least 30 people had been arrested.
Today’s unrest in Saqqez started at Oqab Square just before noon as hundreds of protestors
attacked a local Bassij post with sticks and
stones. The Bassij are paramilitary Islamic
vigilantes loyal to the Supreme Leader.
The latest clashes come in the wake of a series of protests that have swept
Kurdish towns and cities in Iran for the past weeks. Dozens of
protesters have been injured or arrested by government troops in several
towns.
|