The people of Shahr-e Kord, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, held the second consecutive day of their large demonstrations on Monday, protesting government policies that have resulted in water shortages across the province.
The protesters were chanting anti-regime slogans and encouraging other provinces to join what is slowly becoming a nationwide movement against regime policies.
Like many other provinces, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari is facing severe water shortages. The protesters were saying that government officials are only giving promises and refrain from taking action.
November 22 – Shahrekord, central #Iran
People have taken to the streets for a second day protesting the regime's destructive policies of rerouting local rivers that have devastated people's lives.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/Ia155XCRlc— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) November 22, 2021
On Monday, Habib Fadaee, a civil rights activist that was previously arrested and imprisoned by the regime, joined the protesters and warned that the regime wants to divide the people of Iran and that the water problem has not been solved because the regime is running a “water mafia.”
“We will not give up our rights. We don’t want to bring out our rifles. However, if we don’t receive any answers, we will!” he said.
November 22 – Shahrekord, central #Iran
Angry locals chanting:
"We will not give up our rights. We don't want to bring out our rifles. However, if we don't receive any answers, we will!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/LTYfOj7Aro— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) November 22, 2021
The protesters called out the state-run television network for not covering news of their demonstrations
Other protesters were saying that they will not stop their movement until they get their rights. According to the protesters, at least 300 villages in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari are facing potable water shortages. According to reports, many villages require water tankers to receive water.
On Sunday, the protesters, who had gathered in front of the provincial governorate, were shouting, “Governor, where are you? Why don’t you come out?” The protesters chanted other slogans, including, “Today, you’re selling our water, tomorrow it will be our soil.”
November 21 – Shahrekord, central #Iran
Protesters marching & chanting:
"Khuzestan, Lorestan, support, support!"
They're calling on neighboring provinces to rise in support of their rallies.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/IkavOxpgGv— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) November 21, 2021
The protesters are demanding government officials to stop projects that are channeling the province’s water to other provinces.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), praised the people of Shar-e Kord for standing up to the tyranny of the mullahs’ regime.
“The people of Iran do not wish to live under the yoke of the mullahs who have stolen their healthy water and air. The only way out is to end mullahs’ rule of oppression,” she said.
The people of #Iran do not wish to live under the yoke of the mullahs who have stolen their healthy water and air. The only way out is to end mullahs’ rule of oppression. #IranProtests
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) November 21, 2021
The protests in Shahr-e Kord began on Sunday, following two weeks of intense protests of the neighboring Isfahan province. On Saturday, thousands of people from across Isfahan gathered at the basin of the Zayandeh Rud river and joined the ongoing protests by the farmers of the province.
The protests in Isfahan continued on Monday, with protesters returning to Zayandeh Rud and demanding the government to open the dams and give farmers and locals access to water.
November 22 – Isfahan, central #Iran
Farmers and locals continue their protests for water the dried Zayandehrud River, demanding the regime to open dams. They've been rallying on the river bed for around two weeks, continuing even at nights.pic.twitter.com/BgvqtTNevm— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) November 22, 2021
Other provinces of Iran, including Khuzestan, are faced with severe water shortages caused by the regime’s destructive policies. These water shortages are causing severe threats to the economies of these provinces, hampering farming, livestock, and the daily lives of millions of citizens.
In July, protests erupted in Khuzestan province over water shortages and lasted for more than two weeks. The protests resulted in clashes between locals and the regime’s security forces. The security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters and killed several civilians.
Despite the regime’s extreme repressive measures, protests continue to take place in different parts of Iran. The regime has failed to address the root causes of the most basic economic and environmental problems people are faced with.