Khuzestan; Internet disruptions and the authorities' "sudden" solutions

Following the ongoing public protests over the lack of water in Khuzestan, local activists have reported disruptions and outages of the internet in parts of the province. Netblocks also confirmed regional disruptions in mobile internet service in Iran since a week ago.

On the eighth day of consecutive protests against the lack of water and electricity in Khuzestan, social media users reported on Thursday, July 22, severe disruptions and internet outages in some cities in the province, including Ahvaz, Shadegan, Mahshahr, and Masjed Soleiman.

Netblocks, the global Internet traffic monitoring organization, also confirmed that it has evidence of regional disruptions in mobile Internet service in Iran since a week ago.

The company attributed the disruption in the internet network to the start of public protests in Khuzestan.

In this regard, Ebrahim Raisi, the future President of Iran, also emphasized in a special meeting the importance of examining the problems of this province, especially water shortage.

Raisi, who was speaking at a meeting on Thursday, July 21, titled "Issues of Khuzestan Province," stated that the purpose of this special meeting was to not waste time in arriving at "operational solutions" to resolve the province's problems, adding, "Everything that is possible must be implemented now."

Raisi: I will appoint a special governor

The president, whose term as president begins in two weeks, said he would prioritize “resolving the problems related to water shortages.” He added: “Today, without a doubt, providing drinking water to the people and protecting farmers’ livestock are priorities, and the people must be assured that the damages they have suffered will be adequately compensated.”

Raisi listed one of his practical solutions for the Khuzestan problem as "appointing a special governor" and added: "In provinces that have special problems, special governors will be elected so that they can take turns raising and following up on provincial issues in short periods of time by attending the government council. Eliminating deprivation in provinces such as Khuzestan and Sistan and Baluchestan will be a priority for all government officials."

The future president of Iran is talking about quick solutions to the long-standing problems of underprivileged provinces, while experts in the field of water and environment consider these provinces, including Khuzestan, to be "victims of the recklessness of officials, unsustainable development, and the accumulation of environmental problems over several decades." They believe that quick and partial solutions will not solve these problems, but will make the situation worse than it already is.

Statement by the Iranian Music House in solidarity with the Khuzestan protesters

Meanwhile, the Iranian Music House issued a statement in solidarity with the peaceful protests of the people of Khuzestan against the lack of water and electricity.

The statement, which was released on Thursday, July 21, states: "Khuzestan is a part of Iran, and Iran, thirsty and tired of oppression and injustice in today's world, needs unity and empathy more than anything."

The authors of this statement called for a proper response to the legitimate demands of the people of Khuzestan through "persuasive action" and wrote that they oppose any violent response to the legitimate demands of the people.

Another part of the statement states that thirsty Khuzestan does not deserve this situation.

According to social media reports, street protests against water shortages and poor management in Khuzestan continued for the seventh consecutive night on Wednesday, July 20.

A number of social media users have published videos claiming to show a public gathering in a park in Shahinshahr, Isfahan, in support of the street protests in Khuzestan.

Some users, by publishing these videos, have called the Khuzestan protests a "thirsty uprising" and have called for the support of other citizens.

Source: DW