Reports indicate that angry flood stricken locals in the southwestern city of Ahvaz took to the streets today in protest to the Iranian regime’s incompetence in dealing with the floods.
According to videos published on social media locals in the Eyn-e Do region in western Ahvaz, in the oil rich province of Khuzestan, marched on the streets chanting, “they wanted to dishonor us but we will not be dishonored” in Arabic.
#Breaking April 12
Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, SW #IranProtesting not receiving any state support & the #IRGC directing floodwaters into residential areas.
Videos show the tip of the iceberg in terms of growing anger and frustration with the government.#IranFloods pic.twitter.com/BdjuSJMgH4— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) April 12, 2019
They were protesting the regime’s policy of opening dams directing water to their farmlands, villages and cities. Locals also say they don’t have facilities to make flood barriers.
The protesters said that if the government refused to direct water to Hawizeh Marshes they would take matters in their own hands.
Similar protests were also reported in the Shelang Abad region in Ahvaz.
Reports indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has blocked water from the Hawizeh Marshes to protect its oil interests in the region and instead directs water to cities and villages.
Also today, angry flood stricken Ahvaz residents verbally attacked a visiting senior IRGC officer.
#Ahvaz – Khuzestan W #Iran April 12
Flood victims protesting not receiving any state support & blaming the whole regime for its incompetence." Khuzestan is drowned, government is sleeping" pic.twitter.com/1SMYFqP2nJ
— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) April 12, 2019
Videos showed locals surrounding Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a former commander of the infamous Bassij forces, yelling at him and chanting, “Khuzestan has been swept away by water while officials sleep”.
#Ahvaz – Khuzestan W #Iran April 12
Flood victims protesting not receiving any state support & blaming the whole regime for its incompetence." Khuzestan is drowned, government is sleeping" pic.twitter.com/1SMYFqP2nJ
— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) April 12, 2019
The locals also chanted, “get lost” in Persian and “Ahvaz will be free” in Arabic while pushing Naqdi’s bodyguards and police.
Although state-run news agencies like Tasnim boast that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Basij forces and other regime affiliated institutions are aiding flood victims in the worst hit areas of Iran, locals are furious and say that they have been abandoned by the government.
Naser Saraj, the head of the country’s Inspection Organization recently said that “mistakes and man-made elements” had increased flood damages.
Severe rain and floods have ravaged more than 27 provinces since May 17.
Source » irannewswire