20 Apr 2018 | 07:35 PM UTC
Iran: Protests and strike in Kazerun and Marivan April 20 /update 3
Residents demonstrate in Kazerun (Fars province) and strike in Marivan (Kurdistan province) April 20; further protests expected in the coming days and weeks
Event
Protests and a strike were held in Kazerun (Fars province) and Marivan (Kurdistan province), respectively, on Friday, April 20. Demonstrators in Kazerun reportedly staged protests for a fourth day on Friday, demanding that the government abandon plans to divide the city into multiple administrative entities. In Marivan, shop owners in the town went on strike to protest the shutting of border crossings into Iraq which impede the movement of couriers. Additional protests and strike actions, as well as heightened security measures and consequent localized transportation and commercial disruptions, are possible in the coming days and weeks in Kazerun and Marivan. Additional unrelated protests are also possible elsewhere in Iran are also possible.
Context
Anti-government protests over various issues have taken place in several Iranian cities in recent weeks. Notably, farmers in Isfahan province have staged demonstrations in the city of Isfahan and in neighboring towns and villages since February 28, demanding that the government address the lack of sufficient water for agriculture amid the ongoing drought and consequent difficulty to grow crops in the region. On April 17, at least 12 protests were held in cities throughout Iran over water issues, insufficient wages, political prisoners, border closures, poor university administration, and mismanagement of financial institutions.
Protests have also recently erupted in Ahwaz (Khuzestan province) over perceived government discrimination toward Arab residents and Arab-majority areas. Security forces violently cracked down on the protests, and have arrested hundreds of people due to their alleged participation in the demonstrations.
Advice
Individuals in Iran, particularly in the abovementioned areas, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.
