Reporting by PMOI/MEK
Iran, February 25, 2021—Protests in Sistan and Baluchestan province continued late into the night on Wednesday, with more cities joining in the demonstrations that began on Monday, after the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) opened fire and killed fuel porters in Saravan county, near the Iran-Pakistan border.
According to the latest reports, protests that began in Saravan spread to Karim Abad and Shir Abad in Zahedan city. The regime has cut off internet access to prevent news of the protests from spreading across Iran and the world. Clashes between protesters and security forces continued late into the night.
On Wednesday, the people of the Kourin Sarjangal region near Zahedan city also joined the protests despite the heavy presence of IRGC forces. Videos and photos posted on social media show heavy clashes between protesters and IRGC forces.
The regime is flying helicopters in Zahedan to cause fear and prevent the protests from expanding.
In the past days, security forces have killed dozens of protesters in different cities of the province, but the demonstrations continue despite the severe atmosphere of repression.
For many of the impoverished people of Sistan and Baluchestan, transferring small amounts of fuel across the border and selling it to customers has become the only means of earning their keep and supporting their families. The reason they live this way is more than four decades of regime corruption and discrimination against the Baluch minority. The regime’s security forces attack and kill them regularly under the pretext of fighting smuggling. Meanwhile, the regime’s own security forces control a huge fuel-smuggling network that dwarfs the activities of the fuel porters of Sistan and Baluchestan.
As protests continue in Sistan and Baluchestan, people across Iran have been showing their solidarity and support for the impoverished people of the region and their brave stand against the regime’s security forces.
A video from Iranshahr, a city in Sistan and Baluchestan, shows tires lit on fire and blocking roads. “This rebellion is for our brothers in Saravan,” a citizen who was filming the scene said. “Long live Baluchestan. Down with the dictator.”
“Down with the rules of the mullahs,” said a citizen from Mashhad while stomping a photo of Qassem Soleimani, the former terror master of the Iranian regime and the commander of the IRGC Quds Force. “Saravan is not alone. This is Mashhad. Saravan is not alone.”
In Karaj, one citizen said, “We the people of Karaj support the uprising of Saravan. We are ready for a nationwide uprising. Death to the dictator. Death to [regime supreme leader Ali] Khamenei. The November uprising continues.”
“Hail to the brave Baluch people,” a citizen from Foulad Shahr, Isfahan province, said. “This is Foulad Shahr. There is heavy security presence. [The regime] should know that Saravan is not alone. Iranians will achieve everything with their solidarity… We the youth of Fouladshahr will not let the people of Saravan down.”
“Salute to all those who struggle for freedom,” said a citizen from Tehran. “I am sending this message to all the brave Baluch people of Saravan. I support you. All of Iran supports you.”
“I salute all the people of Iran, especially my Baluch compatriots,” said a citizen from Gilan. “I express my support for all the Baluch people, especially the people of Saravan. Down with the Islamic Republic. Death to the IRGC mercenaries who kill the kolbars (porters) in west of Iran and the fuel porters in the east with bullets. Death to the Islamic Republic regime. Death to Khamenei. Death to the dictator. Long live united Iran.”
“Condolences to the families of the martyrs of the struggle for freedom,” a citizen from Azarbaijan said. “We in Azarbaijan express our solidarity with the brave people of Baluchestan.”
“It is the duty of all of us to support Saravan,” said a citizen from Tehran. “Saravan is not alone.”
In the Fardis district of Karaj, the citizens were blaring the horns of their vehicles in support of the uprising in Baluchestan.
In many cities, people are posting videos on social media and saying “Saravan is not alone” to show their support for the uprising of the Baluch people. A resident from Zanjan said, “Death to the rule of the mullahs. Saravan is not alone. I will fight for the freedom of Iran and to support the people of Saravan. The Baluch are not alone. Down with Khamenei.”
At the same time, Iranians abroad have been expressing their support for the uprising of the people of Sistan and Baluchestan. In Geneva, supporters of the MEK gathered in front of the headquarters of the United Nations and held a rally in support of protests in the cities of Sistan and Baluchestan.
“In every corner of Iran, we join our voices to those of Saravan, uprising for victory,” the demonstrators were chanting.
