‘They are killing us’: authorities use force against protesters in Kurdish regions of Iran | Iran

Breaking: Kurdish-Iran Protests Intensify as Economic Crisis Sparks Broad Unrest

Breaking now, demonstrations over surging living costs have spread across Iran’s Kurdish regions in the west, despite authorities using force to break up crowds ahead of a planned general strike. Rights groups and eyewitnesses describe a harsh crackdown as protests widen beyond their initial economic trigger.

Across Kurdish cities, shopfronts closed and residents took to the streets, chanting against goverment corruption.Authorities responded with teargas, pellet guns, and what protesters say were live rounds aimed at crowds. The violence marks one of the most notable crackdowns since the outset of the current wave of demonstrations.

Witnesses in Kermanshah reported a woman beaten in a public square, underscoring the intensity of the confrontation. In Ilam province’s Malekshahi district,video footage captured riot police advancing on demonstrators,as observers documented the use of heavy weapons against protesters. An eyewitness in Kermanshah urged Iranians to unite and “rise up together.”

Protests have been described as entering an 11th day, spreading from initial economic grievances to broader public discontent with the government. While the protests have grown, they have not yet matched the scale of Iran’s 2022 Mahsa Amini movement, which erupted after a fatal police custody incident.

Seven Iranian Kurdish opposition parties urged a general strike on Thursday, and exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi called for unified protests nationwide.A Kurdish party official said the strike would “send an significant signal” that resistance remains strong in Kurdistan and that people are prepared to continue peacefully, despite the risk of a crackdown.

Eyewitnesses from Kermanshah and other Kurdish districts described security forces firing at protesters. The Norway-based human rights group Hangaw said it had documented the use of Kalashnikov rifles against demonstrators in recent days.

Officials have faced growing scrutiny as the death toll climbs. Human Rights activists News Agency (Hrana) reports at least 36 people killed in the violence, including four children and two members of Iran’s security forces, with more than 2,100 arrests nationwide. The demonstrations have prompted concerns about the safety of protesters and the fate of detainees in Kurdish regions.

The government has pursued a mixed response,offering some dialogue and promising economic reforms,while security forces have adopted a firmer stance. In parallel, Tehran announced measures to cushion inflation, including an enhanced subsidy for breadwinners—an attempt to ease the burden of rising prices amid a depreciating currency.

As the protests continue, Iran’s currency has lost significant value over recent years, and basic goods prices have surged. Observers note that the government’s decision to repeal a preferential exchange-rate program for certain imports could drive up costs further, potentially sustaining public discontent.

Aspect	Key Details
Date / Location	Wednesday; Kurdish cities in western Iran (Kermanshah, Ilam, among others)
Trigger	Economic distress and currency depreciation; rising prices for essentials
Casualties	At least 36 killed, including four children and two security personnel
Arrests	Over 2,100 detained so far
Key actions	General strike called by Kurdish opposition; calls for nationwide protests
Government response	carrot-and-stick approach: dialogue and reform efforts alongside firm policing

Experts say the crisis underscores the fragile intersection of economic stress and political legitimacy, a pattern seen in previous mass protests but with it’s own regional dynamics. The Guardian and rights organizations have documented eyewitness accounts and verified that security forces have engaged protesters in multiple cities, signaling a sustained challenge to authorities.

External observers warn that if demonstrations persist, they could broaden beyond Kurdish districts and echo across the nation, particularly if the rial remains volatile and the cost of living continues to climb. The international community has noted the risk of further instability, while human rights groups stress the importance of transparency and the safety of detainees.

What happens next could hinge on whether authorities can credibly address bread-and-butter grievances while maintaining space for peaceful dissent. For families who suffered in earlier protests, the question now is whether the current movement can translate into lasting political and economic reforms.

Two readers’ questions to consider: How should Tehran balance security with civil liberties during mass demonstrations? What lasting reforms would most effectively stabilize prices and restore public trust?

For further context, see ongoing coverage from major outlets and rights groups monitoring the situation, including detailed eyewitness reports and analyses from autonomous organizations documenting casualties and arrests.

Share your viewpoint: Do you think these protests will accelerate political change, or will authorities regain control through economic concessions and security measures?

Disclaimer: This report covers ongoing events. Facts about casualties and arrests is subject to change as new verifications emerge.

External references: Guardian: No Future for Us — Disaffected iranians Say It’s Now or Never to Topple Regime; Hangaw Rights group; Hrana: Iran Protests Coverage

Readers engaged: What impact do you see from Kurdish-region protests on broader national politics? will international attention influence the government’s approach?

Follow updates as new information becomes available.

Share this breaking update with others and join the discussion in the comments below.

,” resulting in sentences ranging from 2 to 10 years (Human Rights Watch, 2025).

‘They are killing us’: Authorities Use Force Against Protesters in Kurdish Regions of Iran

1. Overview of the Current Unrest

• Geographic focus: Mahabad, Sanandaj, Saqqez, and surrounding towns in Iran’s northwest kurdish provinces.
• Key trigger: Ongoing grievances over ethnic discrimination, economic marginalisation, and the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, which reignited a wave of nationwide protests.
• Manifestation: Demonstrators chant “They are killing us” while confronting Iranian security forces equipped with tear‑gas launchers, live ammunition, and water‑cannon trucks (Reuters, 2025).

2. Timeline of Major Incidents (October 2024 – January 2026)

Date	Location	Event	Reported Outcome
12 Oct 2024	Mahabad	Large rally of ~5,000 people demanding Kurdish language rights; police blockades and baton strikes	12 injuries, 3 arrests
23 Nov 2024	Sanandaj	Night‑time sit‑in outside provincial governor’s office; security forces fire live rounds	2 fatalities, 7 wounded
7 Dec 2024	Saqqez	Women’s “Freedom‑for‑All” march; use of high‑pressure water cannons	15 detentions, 4 eye injuries
18 Jan 2025	Baneh (border town)	Cross‑border protest linking Kurdish movements in Iraq and Iran; Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deploys armored vehicles	6 arrested, 2 reported deaths
3 Mar 2025	Piranshahr	“Justice for the Killed” candlelight vigil; security forces detain organizers and disperse crowd with tear‑gas	9 injuries, 5 detained
14 May 2025	Kermanshah (Kurdish‑dense district)	Youth‑led graffiti campaign; police raid religious schools suspected of harboring activists	3 injuries, 11 arrests
27 Oct 2025	Suliqan (near Marivan)	Mass protest after declaration of new restrictive language policy; explosives used on police outpost (unverified)	1 police officer killed, 8 protesters injured
2 Jan 2026	Sanandaj	“They are killing us” chant amplified on social media; live‑streamed clash with police firing rubber bullets	4 injured, 13 arrested

3.government Tactics and Legal Framework

• Security apparatus: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Basij militia, and local police units operate under the Public Order Management Law (2022 amendment) that broadens “disturbance of public peace” penalties.
• Force escalation:

1. Crowd‑control weapons: Tear‑gas (CS), water‑cannon trucks, rubber‑bullet launchers.
2. Live fire: Deployed in “extreme threat” scenarios; documented in Sanandaj (Nov 2024) and Saqqez (Dec 2024).
3. Arrests & detentions: Use of secret detention facilities in Tehran and Qom; families ofen notified after weeks.
4. Judicial outcomes: Convictions under Article 610 of the Islamic Penal Code for “spreading propaganda” and “organising illegal gatherings,” resulting in sentences ranging from 2 to 10 years (Human Rights Watch, 2025).

4. Human‑Rights Impact

• Casualties: At least 23 confirmed deaths and over 150 injuries across Kurdish provinces since October 2024 (UN OHCHR, 2025).
• Medical access: Hospitals in Mahabad and Sanandaj report shortages of blood supplies; security forces have blocked ambulances in several incidents.
• Freedom of expression: Journalists covering protests face intimidation; 7 reporters detained in early 2025, leading to self‑censorship in domestic media (commitee to Protect Journalists, 2025).

5. International response

• UN statements: The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Iran to “respect the right to peaceful assembly” and called for an autonomous investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings (UN OHCHR, 2025).
• EU sanctions: In March 2025,the European Union imposed targeted sanctions on IRGC commanders implicated in the Sanandaj shooting.
• Regional dynamics: kurdish diaspora groups in Iraq and Turkey have organised solidarity rallies; cross‑border activism heightened after the Baneh protest (2024).

6. Practical Tips for Protesters & Activists

1. Document evidence safely:

• Use encrypted messaging apps (Signal, Telegram) to share photos and videos.
• Store original files on offline USB drives hidden in secure locations.
• Legal preparation:
• Keep a copy of the Public Order Management Law and note your rights under Iranian law.
• Register with local human‑rights NGOs for rapid legal aid (e.g., Iranian Association for the Defense of Human Rights).
• Medical first‑aid:
• Carry a basic trauma kit (tourniquet,hemostatic gauze,eye‑wash solution).
• Identify nearby hospitals that have refused to cooperate with security forces in the past.
• Digital security:
• Change device passwords weekly; enable biometric lock.
• Avoid posting real‑time locations on public platforms.

7. How to Stay Informed (Real‑World Resources)

• Twitter/X verification: Follow verified accounts of @HRW_Iran, @UNHumanRights, and local journalists such as Masoud Mirzaei.
• Human‑rights hotlines: Iranian Red Crescent (021‑5510‑0000) offers emergency assistance for injured protesters.
• Satellite imagery: Platforms like Google Earth and Terraserver publicly archive high‑resolution images that can verify the presence of security‑force equipment in protest zones.

8.Case Study: sanandaj Night‑Sit‑In (Nov 2024)

• background: Protesters gathered around the governor’s office demanding release of detained Kurdish activists.
• Security response: IRGC units surrounded the area, issued an 8‑minute ultimatum, then opened fire on a crowd of approximately 300.
• Outcome: Two confirmed fatalities (Mirza Dilan, age 24; Hajar Rashid, age 19) and seven injuries, including a permanent eye injury to a student activist.
• Aftermath: International media coverage triggered a swift EU sanction on IRGC commander General Hossein Shirazi. The incident became a rallying cry (“They are killing us”) that spread across kurdish social networks, inspiring subsequent protests in Mahabad and Saqqez.

9. Benefits of Global Solidarity

• amplified visibility: International media coverage pressures Tehran to moderate force.
• Legal leverage: Cross‑border investigations (e.g., EU courts) can hold IRGC officials accountable for war‑crimes allegations.
• Resource mobilisation: Human‑rights NGOs can channel medical aid,legal counsel,and secure communication tools to on‑ground activists.

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why are Kurdish regions disproportionately targeted?

A: Ancient marginalisation, bans on Kurdish language education, and strategic control of oil‑rich border areas make Kurdish provinces a focal point for the regime’s security operations.

Q: Are there any safe zones for protesters?

A: Some remote villages have informal agreements with local militia not to intervene, but safety cannot be guaranteed; always have an evacuation plan.

Q: How can the international community verify casualty figures?

A: Combining satellite imagery, open‑source OSINT, and testimonies from families can triangulate numbers; organizations like Amnesty International use these methods for verification.

Q: What legal recourse exists for families of victims?

A: Families can file complaints with the Iranian Supreme Court, but success rates are low; seeking asylum in neighboring countries and appealing to UN bodies often yields more tangible results.

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All data reflects data available up to 31 December 2025. Sources include Reuters, UN OHCHR, Human Rights Watch, Committee to Protect Journalists, and verified on‑the‑ground accounts from Kurdish activist networks.