People in several cities across the provinces of Khuzestan, Hormozgan, and Isfahan took to the streets on Thursday holding anti-regime protests in solidarity with the people of Abadan following Monday’s collapse of the city’s ten-story Metropol tower. Women were participating in large numbers in these protest rallies.
The cities of Khorramshahr and Behbahan in Khuzestan, Shahin Shahr in Isfahan, and Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan provinces have been scenes of night protests and rallies in support of the people of Abadan, who took to the streets again for the second consecutive night, protesting the regime’s corruption and incompetence in providing aid for those in need.
May 26—Khorramshahr, southwest #Iran
Locals are protesting in the streets in solidarity with their neighbors in Abadan following Monday's collapse of the Metropol tower that has left at least 19 dead, 37 injured & dozens still missing.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/HcwyFWuuWp— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 26, 2022
They’re chants included:
“Death to the dictator!” in reference to regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
“Death to the deceptive [regime]!”
“Raisi, resign!” in reference to regime President Ebrahim Raisi.
“My life for Abadan!”
“Abadan, we’re here! We won’t leave you abandoned!”
“Mullahs get lost!”
“I will kill those who killed my brother!”
“Our enemy is right here! They lie in saying its America!”
“Let go of Syria! Think about us!”
“Our city is broken! The officials are always asleep!”
“We are aware and we loath discrimination!”
May 26—Behbahan, southwest #Iran
Locals are protesting in the streets in solidarity with their neighbors in Abadan.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/gCQKhSLYJ8— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 26, 2022
Reports showed authorities disrupting internet access in many cities to prevent the further distribution of reports regarding these protests and in prelude to their crackdown measures. Reports circulating on social media platforms indicated the regime’s security forces using anti-riot pellet guns against protesters in Shahin Shahr of Isfahan province.
May 26—Shahin Shahr, central #Iran
Locals protesting in the streets in solidarity with their compatriots in Abadan.They're chanting:
"I will those who killed my brother!"#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/zQo0FOPuGl— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 26, 2022
On Wednesday night, May 25, a massive crowd of locals in Abadan, southwest Iran, took to the streets in anti-regime protests triggered by the collapse of the city’s Metropol tower on Monday, May 23. Angry protesters were chanting slogans against the regime, local officials, and the corrupt contractor responsible for the faulty construction project that led to the tower crumbling down, leaving at least 19 people killed, 37 injured, and dozens still feared missing. State media is reporting 34 of those injured have been dispatched and recovering in their homes now.
Wednesday night saw protesters chanting slogans specifically targeting senior regime and local Abadan and Khuzestan province officials for their destructive policies and corruption that led to the disaster, and recent incompetence in providing necessary aid during the rescue effort.
Public distrust in the regime’s claims escalated further following remarks made by the representative of Khuzestan province in the Supreme Provincial Council that the former mayor of Abadan, who oversaw the inauguration of the Metropol tower, now has a post in the Investment Organization of Abadan Municipality.
Locals in Abadan are also reporting that regime officials have dispatched a large number oflarge contingents of security forces and the city’s internet access has been heavily disrupted.
May 23 – Abadan, southwest #Iran
Authorities have dispatched anti-riot units to downtown Abadan following the 10-story Metropol building collapse. Officials are obviously concerned about anti-riot protests. pic.twitter.com/GSILG786Kg— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 23, 2022
