Angry protesters took over an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) base today in a town in southeastern Iran after the Guards killed dozens of Baluch “fuel carriers” on Monday, social media videos showed.
The videos showed locals in Kurin Sarjangal, near Zahedan, the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan Province running towards the IRGC base and taking down a bunker on the entrance used for guarding the base. Another video showed a young protester taking down the base flag. Protesters also chased armed IRGC agents who were fleeing the scene and one video showed a local man slapping an agent in the face.
Feb 24- Kurin Sarjangal, near Zahedan, SE #Iran
A protester brings down a flag from the IRGC base they stormed earlier.
Baluch locals are angry that the IRGC shot and killed dozens of "fuel carriers" who wanted the border to reopen on Feb. 22. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/rHCiNhLmOx— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) February 24, 2021
As #IranProtests continue today in #Saravan, the people of #Iran are saying, with one voice, that the Islamic Republic is an illegitimate regime. History has proven that appeasement has only ever emboldened dictators. Repeating that failed policy would betray the Iranian people. pic.twitter.com/tLgcqPHuaS
— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) February 23, 2021
Reports indicate that several cities in Sistan and Baluchestan, including Zahedan, Iranshahr, Pahreh, Jakigor and Saravan have gone on a general strike and have refused to open shop since this morning to protest the killing of dozens of Baluch fuel carriers by the IRGC on February 22 in Saravan.
Despite the heavy presence of security forces and the IRGC in surrounding cities, there are reports of clashes between locals and security forces. Reports indicate that security forces also tried in vain to force locals to open shop.
There were also reports on internet disruptions in some regions in the province.
Yesterday, angry locals stormed the Saravan Governor’s Office. Reports indicate that several protesters were injured during yesterday’s clashes in Saravan.
On February 22, several of the Baluch locals who carry fuel across the border gathered outside the IRGC base to protest the blocking of the border, demanding that it be reopened. The IRGC has dug large holes on the border to prevent Baluch fuel carriers from crossing. The IRGC responded with bullets.
The Baluch Activists Campaign said the IRGC also torched several cars belonging to the fuel carriers and that the forces used machine guns against locals.
The regime has blamed the Monday shootings on Pakistan.
Mahmoud Vaezi, the Chief of Staff of the President of Iran said the fuel carriers “clashed with the Pakistanis” adding that everything was now “calm” in the area.
Source » irannewswire