Nighttime Raid by Islamic Republic Forces on Village in Izeh and Arrest of Citizens

In continuation of security pressures in protesting areas of Khuzestan, government forces raided the village of Piyan in Izeh county on Tuesday morning, arresting at least seven citizens including a 15-year-old child and injuring several others. Reports also indicate the destruction of shops, damage to people’s property, and writing of government slogans in the village; an action that has once again increased concerns about harsh security crackdowns in areas critical of the Islamic Republic.

According to reports recently released by human rights sources, on Tuesday morning, the 8th of Ordibehesht month, plainclothes forces and police officers, supported by armed vehicles, entered the village of Piyan, a suburb of Izeh county, and launched a large-scale operation against residents of the area.

During this operation, at least seven citizens were arrested, identified as “Alborz Ramazani,” “Arad Kouchaki,” 15 years old, “Saman Taghizadeh,” “Fardad Rahmani,” “Askar Badaghi,” “Hamzeh Ramazani,” and “Mohammad Salhshour.” At the time of this report’s preparation, no information has been released about their detention location, physical condition, or charges against them.

Simultaneously with these arrests, several village residents were also wounded. According to released information, “Arzu Mamali” was injured by a gunshot wound, and “Karam Kouchaki” was injured following a blow from a weapon strike to the head area. “Nahib-Allah Abbasi” has also been reported as another injured person from this raid.

Reports indicate that government forces, upon entering the village, destroyed several local shops and caused damage to citizens’ property. Some local sources have also reported the seizure or destruction of goods inside shops.

“Fouad Chubin,” uncle of “Artin Rahmani” (the deceased child from the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests), announced through social media posts that the attacking forces, in addition to destroying public property, also removed images related to Artin Rahmani. According to him, officers wrote slogans such as “Here I am, O Khamenei,” “Security,” “First Wave,” and “We Will Return” on the village walls and also wrote insulting expressions against him.

In recent years, Izeh has been one of the centers of anti-government protests in Iran and has repeatedly witnessed extensive security force presence and the arrest of protesters. This city’s name became particularly prominent in international human rights reports after several protesters, including children and adolescents, were killed during nationwide protests in 2022.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned about violent conduct by the Islamic Republic’s security forces in Arab and Kurdish-populated areas of Khuzestan. Civil activists say that continued arrests without transparency, the use of violence in security operations, and the Islamic Republic authorities’ lack of accountability have intensified feelings of fear and insecurity among residents of these areas.

As of this report’s publication, official Islamic Republic authorities have provided no clarification regarding the details of the operation in Piyan village and the condition of the detainees.

Beyond the wave of arrests, the detention of 15-year-old Arad Kouchaki has sparked reactions and concerns among child rights activists and human rights advocates. Critics argue that the arrest of children and adolescents in security operations, particularly involving armed forces and nighttime raids, demonstrates an intensification of the Islamic Republic’s repressive approach against families and residents of protesting areas. According to human rights activists, security treatment of a 15-year-old child is not only a clear violation of children’s rights and the Islamic Republic’s international obligations but also demonstrates the government’s increasing use of intimidation to silence any voice of protest in areas like Izeh.