Anniversary of Zahedan’s Bloody Friday marked by defiant protests

By
Staff Writer
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On the solemn occasion of the first anniversary of the Zahedan’s Bloody Friday massacre, the streets of several cities across Sistan and Baluchestan province echoed with impassioned voices against the regime.
On the solemn occasion of the first anniversary of the Zahedan’s Bloody Friday massacre, the streets of several cities across Sistan and Baluchestan province echoed with impassioned voices against the regime.

On the solemn occasion of the first anniversary of the Zahedan’s Bloody Friday massacre, the streets of several cities across Sistan and Baluchestan province echoed with impassioned voices against the regime.

 

Despite the authorities preemptively deploying anti-riot forces and hefty weaponry as a show of might, the spirit of the Baluch people remained undeterred.

The city of Zahedan, still scarred from the tragic event a year ago, witnessed a large congregation near the Makki Mosque. Here, the crowd paid their respects to the fallen while also voicing their discontent with chants such as “I will avenge my murdered brother!” and “Death to the tyrant, be it the shah or the mullahs!”

 

 

Elsewhere, in cities like Khash, Suran, and Taftan, similar demonstrations took place. The populace of Khash gathered in great numbers, with their chants echoing “Death to Khamenei!” and “IRGC and Basij are our murderers!” The sentiments were equally fervent in Suran, where protesters compared the Basij and IRGC to extremist group ISIS. Over in the Nukabad district of Taftan, chants like “Death to the dictator!” filled the air.

In retaliation to this swelling wave of resistance, the regime clamped down hard. Confirming the escalating situation, NetBlocks, a global internet monitoring entity, reported that internet access was constricted in Zahedan and surrounding regions. Such tactics, presumably aimed to isolate the protestors and impede their coordination, only added fuel to the fire.

 

 

On the ground in Zahedan, the situation grew tense as security forces resorted to violence. Several harrowing clips emerged, showing security personnel discharging firearms and deploying tear gas on unarmed protesters. Yet, the resilient citizens of Zahedan did not back down, even when met with overwhelming force. Preliminary reports indicated that many, including children, suffered injuries at the hands of the regime.

To provide context, the Bloody Friday of Zahedan is a painful memory for the region. On September 30, 2022, following the unjust killing of Mahsa Amini by the morality police, security forces in Zahedan ruthlessly fired upon peaceful demonstrators. The bloodbath left over 100 dead, including several children. This horrific act has since been branded as one of the regime’s grave crimes against humanity.

 

 

In the aftermath of that dark day, the resilient Baluch people have made it a point to stage protests every Friday, symbolizing their unyielding spirit. However, the regime’s attempts to quash these voices of dissent are proving to be in vain, as the people’s pursuit of freedom cannot be suppressed.

 

 

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu

 

 

 

 

 

 

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