The demonstrations of the heroic people of Ahvaz continued for the sixth consecutive day on Saturday, February 18th, despite the Iranian regime banning any and all gatherings. Protesters were heard chanting, “No to any humiliation” and “Don’t be afraid, we are all together.”
The regime’s repressive forces broadcasted a statement announcing the banning of all demonstrations, aimed at creating a climate of fear and preventing all rallies. This statement, issued by the Khuzestan Province Security Forces, threatened actions will be taken against the illegal demonstration “instigators and organizers as violators of the law.”
However, the angry protesters hoed the regime’s elements, continued their rally and chanted, “Our rendezvous is right here – Tomorrow at 4 pm” and “Don’t be afraid, we all together.” They raised placards written: “The end of silence” and “Those behind the transfer of Karoon River’s waters must be punished.”
The brave youths of Ahvaz also wrote the slogan “Incompetent leader, justice, justice” on the walls of Ahvaz, expressing their hatred of the repressive, corrupt and destructive mullahs’ regime. They also attacked a number of paramilitary Basij members.
In an act aimed at intensifying their crackdown against the oppressed people of Ahvaz, the mullahs’ regime dispatched their repressive forces from Fars and Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad provinces along with anti-riot vehicles.
The Khuzestan provincial office, announcing Sunday as a holiday and closing all schools and universities due to a heavy dust storm, revoked the statement and later announced the schools and universities will be open in the afternoon, and governorates have no right to close the schools. This was aimed at preventing any student from joining the demonstrations. This decision, filled with fear, was ridiculed even by the regime’s own news outlets.
On the other hand, inmates in Ahvaz Central Prison began protesting the downed water, electricity, gas and telephone services. However, on orders issued by Karimi, the prison warden, with support provided by Danesh, the prison security chief, Moradi, the deputy warden and Niazi, head of the prison guard, anti-riot guards used batons and tear gas in attacking and severely injured the inmates, and ransacking their personal belongings.
The actual target of this vicious raid were political prisoners, of which seven were severely injured and transferred to solitary confinement. They are currently on hunger strike. Following their transfer to solitary confinement, despite the lack of any electricity or gas, and the cold weather, prison authorities also prevented anyone from providing blankets or heating appliances to these seven political prisoners.
Iranian Resistance President-elect Maryam Rajavi yesterday hailed the heroic people, youth and women of Khuzestan, and especially the angry protesters of Ahvaz, calling for widespread protests and the people to state their important demands of enjoying at least a decent humane life, such as breathing clean air, and water and electricity services.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
February 19, 2017