Khuzestan on Fifth Night of Water Shortage Protests
Protests over water shortage in Khuzestan continue. Images posted on social media show gunfire and tear gas being fired at protesters. Protesters are demanding the resignation of the Susangerd governor.
On the evening of July 19 (July 28 by Persian calendar), in the fifth consecutive night of demonstrations, residents from various cities across Khuzestan province took to the streets to protest water shortage and mismanagement of water resources.
In Susangerd, a large crowd gathered in front of the Dasht Azadegan governorate building and demanded the governor’s removal with chants of “Dishonorable governor, resign, resign.”
Based on circulating videos, protesters in the same city chanted demanding the release of those detained.
According to these images, in addition to Susangerd, protests also took place in Ahvaz, Dezful, Shush, Karkheh, Shadegan, Andimeshk, Ramhormoz, and Shushtar.
In Ahvaz, protesters chanted: “We sacrifice our souls and blood for you, O Ahvaz.”
Images show the sounds of gunfire and tear gas being fired by security forces. In one of these videos, apparently from the Alavi neighborhood in Ahvaz, stones can be seen being thrown by protesters at security forces.
So far, the death of two people has been confirmed by media and Islamic Republic officials. While local sources have reported a higher number of deaths, Vahhollah Hayati, the security deputy to the Khuzestan governor, stated that no one was killed in Susangerd or other areas of the province in clashes with police forces.
For years, Khuzestan province has been gripped by crises including dust storms, water shortage, and wetland desiccation due to officials’ negligence, mismanagement, and climate change.
Mohsen Eje’i, the head of the judiciary, has asked the prosecutor general and the inspection organization to pursue Khuzestan’s water problem until resolved.
He also asked the prosecutor of the judicial district to “seriously and urgently pursue matters that have led to harm or death of individuals and deal with those responsible for these actions.”
Mojtaba Mahfoozi, the representative of Abadan in yesterday’s Monday parliamentary session, criticized the mismanagement that has caused continuous crises in Khuzestan. He said that Khuzestan “weeps from the incompetence and injustice of officials and from extreme thirst.” He called for stopping water transfer from the Karun river sources and urged parliamentary representatives: “Come to the aid of oppressed Khuzestan’s cries and give Khuzestan its due share.”
Mohammad Darvish, an environmental expert and activist, wrote on his Instagram page yesterday (July 28): “Six years ago I asked: Why should 10,000 teachers have migrated from Iran’s wealthiest province—Khuzestan—and 10,000 others be waiting for permission from relevant authorities to leave the province? Khuzestan is a cautionary lesson for all proponents of economic development without environmental considerations! Will we learn the lesson?”
Source: DW
