IRGC Forces Surround Iranian Village Following Clashes

The IRGC surrounded a village in Iran’s West Azarbaijan province after clashes erupted between civilians and security forces.

Violence broke out after residents of Agh-Darreh village in Takab had protested the arrest of family members in front of the governorate of Takab city. In what is believed to have been a case of excessive force, police and security forces turned violent, causing the IRGC to send troops to surround the village.

Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported that the situation escalated with over 50 Kurdish citizens being arrested and more than 10 people sustaining injuries. Furthermore, dozens of other citizens have sought refuge in the surrounding mountains, fearing arrest.

The majority of Iran's 10 million Kurds live in the western parts of the country, which has been subject to consistent suppression from security forces in the wake of Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Amini's death in morality police custody. It has been the scene of numerous violent protests and even more brutal crackdowns by the regime with hundreds believed to have been killed in state-sanctioned violence.

The area's residents were also protesting a lack of jobs at the local gold mine, with the villagers among some of Iran's poorest citizens. Despite promises of employment from provincial authorities, the situation remains unresolved and the economic situation worsening.