DUBAI, Oct 26 (Reuters) – At least 15 folks have been killed in an attack on a Shi’ite Muslim shrine in the Iranian metropolis of Shiraz on Wednesday, state news agency IRNA stated, as safety forces elsewhere clashed with protesters marking 40 days for the reason that loss of life of Mahsa Amini.
Early studies of the attack gave various accounts. The native police chief stated there had been a single attacker, who had been arrested, whereas news businesses stated three folks have been concerned.
IRNA described them as “takfiri terrorists”, a label utilized by officers in predominantly Shi’ite Muslim Iran to consult with hardline, armed Sunni Islamist teams. Nournews, affiliated with Iran’s high safety physique, stated they weren’t Iranian nationals.
The attackers have been in a automotive and shot at pilgrims and workers on the entrance to the shrine of Shah Cheragh, IRNA quoted witnesses as saying. Police arrested two of the three “terrorists” and have been in search of the third.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency stated a number of girls and youngsters have been among the many useless.
The attack befell on the identical day that Iranian safety forces opened hearth at mourners who gathered in Amini’s Kurdish dwelling city of Saqez, in line with a witness.
“Riot police shot mourners who gathered at the cemetery for Mahsa’s memorial ceremony … dozens have been arrested,” the witness stated. Iranian authorities weren’t accessible to remark.
Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency stated about 10,000 folks had gathered on the cemetery, including that the web was minimize off after clashes between safety forces and folks there.
Videos on social media confirmed 1000’s of Iranians marching in the direction of the cemetery the place Amini is buried regardless of the heavy presence of riot police. Activists had referred to as for protests throughout the nation to mark 40 days since she died after being detained for “inappropriate attire”.
Demonstrations ignited by the 22-12 months-outdated’s loss of life in the custody of Iran’s morality police on Sept. 16 have develop into one of many boldest challenges to the clerical management for the reason that 1979 revolution.
A variety of Iranians have come out on to the streets, with some calling for the downfall of the Islamic Republic and the loss of life of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A witness stated “men and women have gathered around Amini’s grave at the Aichi cemetery in Saqez, chanting ‘Woman, Life, Freedom'”. Another witness in Saqez stated the cemetery was crammed with members of the volunteer Basij militia and riot police.
“But people from all around the Kurdistan province are here. We are all mourning Mahsa’s death together.”
Fearing the 40-day anniversary of Amini’s loss of life would gasoline additional violent protests, safety police had warned her household to not maintain a memorial procession or “their son will be arrested”, rights teams stated.
[1/5] A newspaper with a canopy image of Mahsa Amini, a girl who died after being arrested by Iranian morality police is seen in Tehran, Iran, September 18, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) through REUTERS/File Photo
However, the governor of Kurdistan, Zarei Kusha, denied there have been restrictions on holding a service, including that it was the household’s resolution to not maintain a gathering, in line with state media.
Videos on social media confirmed safety forces had blocked roads resulting in Saqez to stop folks from different cities gathering on the cemetery. Reuters couldn’t confirm the authenticity of the movies.
Authorities closed all colleges and universities in the Kurdistan province on Wednesday “because of a wave of influenza”, Iranian state media reported.
Kurdish rights group Hengaw stated at least 50 folks have been wounded on Wednesday in the cities of Sanandaj, Marivan, Saqez, Divandareh, Bukan and Mahabad, in northwestern Iran, the place many Iranian Kurds reside. Security forces had fired rifles in two of the cities, it stated.
STUDENT PROTESTS
Videos on social media confirmed crowds packing streets in many cities and the bazaars of Tehran and another cities shut down with folks chanting “Death to Khamenei”.
1500tasvir, a Twitter account targeted on Iran protests with 280,000 followers, reported a “brutal crackdown” on protesters in a number of areas in Tehran, together with a gathering on the Tehran Medical Association.
(*15*)A video on the account confirmed college students at Tehran University fleeing the scene whereas a loud explosion was heard. Reuters couldn’t confirm the authenticity of the footage.
An Iranian former professional-reform official stated the unfold of the protests appeared to have taken authorities without warning and contrasted with the institution’s assertions that help for the Islamic system is overwhelming.
While some analysts stated prospects for the upcoming daybreak of a brand new political order are slim, activists stated a wall of concern had fallen and the trail to a brand new revolution was not reversible.
Students have performed a pivotal position in the protests, with dozens of universities on strike. Hundreds of schoolgirls have joined in, chanting “Freedom, Freedom, Freedom,” regardless of fierce crackdowns by safety forces.
“I am not scared of them any more. They (the establishment) should be scared of us. For years they did not let us have a normal life. Mullahs should go,” stated a teenage pupil in the northern metropolis of Sari.
State media and hardline officers have branded protesters “hypocrites, monarchists, thugs and seditionists”.
Rights teams stated at least 250 protesters had been killed, together with teenage women, and 1000’s had been arrested.
The authorities, who’ve accused the United States and different Western nations of fomenting what they name “riots”, have but to announce a loss of life toll however state media have stated round 30 members of the safety forces have been killed.
Writing by Parisa Hafezi and Dominic Evans
Editing by Michael Georgy, Philippa Fletcher and Nick Macfie
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
