Iran police fire on Kurdish protesters from chopper

Iran Focus: an MEK website.

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. READ MORE

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.

This story has been confirmed by the Guardian and SMCCDI. Western governments need to call for the immediate end of air attacks by Iran's military on its own citizens.