SMCCDI News
Violent clashes rock western Iran
SMCCDI (information Service)
Mar 9, 2004

Violent clashes have rocked several western Iranian cities, such as Mahabad, Paveh, Marivan and Baneh where thousands came, yesterday, into the streets and protested against the regime and its leaders.

The brutal attacks of the regime forces have lead to the popular anger and destruction of tens of security patrol and heavy damages made to public buildings and banks. Groups of young used of home made incendiary devices and grenades in reaction to plastic bullets.

Tens have been injured or arrested.

The situation has been reported as very tense and the Islamic regime  has had to use the so-called independentist threat in order to calm the situation. Several of its elements had raised the flag of the Independent Kurdestan which has made more fear the the residents than the barbarian security forces sent to these cities.

It's to note that all the well known Iranian Kurdish parties, such as, The Kurdish Democratic Party and the Komela have declared at several occasions their firm attachment to Iran .

© Copyright 2003 SMCCDI: daneshjoo.org

Current News & Articles
Scores of demonstrators arrested after demo
AFP - World News (via Iranmania)
Mar 10, 2004

TEHRAN - Around 100 Iranian Kurds were arrested after staging demonstrations to show their solidarity with Iraqi Kurds following the signing of Iraq 's new interim constitution, two ethnic Kurdish MPs told AFP.
"Over the past few days, residents of several Kurdish towns have taken to the street to show their joy and their solidarity with the Iraqi Kurds, who have gained the right of autonomy after years of repression," said Jalal Jalalizadeh, a deputy from the western Iranian town of Sanandaj .
"In many of the towns, security forces acted quickly, but unfortunately in some towns the demonstrators committed riotous acts and the police arrested around 100 people as a result," he said.
According to the MP, unrest was seen in the towns of Mahabad, Boukan and Marivan, with some protestors demanding "democracy in Iran and autonomy for Iranian Kurdistan".
Under the interim Iraqi constitution signed in Baghdad on Monday, Iraqi Kurdistan will retain its federal status, while Kurdish is recognised as one of the two official languages of Iraq .
On Wednesday, the hardline Jomhuri Islami newspaper also reported unrest in Kurdish towns, and quoted a police statement from Marivan as saying that a politician barred from standing in last month's parliament elections was among those detained.
The paper also said the demonstrators destroyed a statue of a young Iranian killed in the 1980-88 war with Iraq and used by the Islamic regime here as a symbol of devotion and sacrifice to the revolution.
"Apparently the inhabitants did destroy the statue," Jalalizadeh said. "For several years they have been asking for the erection of a statue of the great poet of Marivan, Mohammad Khanegh who died 30 years ago, but this has been refused."
Another Sanandaj MP, Bahayedin Adad, said that in the town of Boukan some 20 people were arrested, and 15 injured.
Iran has an estimated six million Kurds, and successive central governments in Tehran have consistently shown little mercy towards any moves in the Kurdish regions towards independence.
The area was the scene of heavy fighting after the 1979 revolution between Kurdish separatists and the regime.
The Islamic regime has also in the past made deals with the two main Iraqi Kurd parties -- the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) -- that Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based across the border are kept on a tight leash.
Iran Monday welcomed the signing of Iraq 's interim constitution but failed to comment on its contents, which as well as guaranteeing Kurdish autonomy give only a supporting role to Islam.

© Copyright 2003 SMCCDI: daneshjoo.org

http://www.kurdistanobserver.com/

KurdistanObserver.com

Kurds Riot in Eastern (Iranian) Kurdistan

Dr Gurgur Garrusi - Kurdish Canada Foundation

Mar 11, 2004

Following the signing of Iraqi constitution, the Kurds in Iran have started celebrating the event by demonstrating  in Kurdistan cities in Iran .

Despite the opposition of Shiite clerics in Iraq the newly signed Iraqi constitution recognizes the establishment of the federal Kurdistan region in Iraq . Kurds in Iran see this a victory for Kurds against the Shiites and they have started massive demonstrations and riots in Kurdistan cities against the Shiite regime in Iran such as Baneh, Bukan, Marivan, Mahabad, Piranshar, Sardasht, Saqiz and sanandaj. Here is a summary of the developments.

BUKAN - More than 30,000 of people started a riot and engaged in clashes with the security forces. The people demonstrated against the regime and Khamenei. A young girl was beaten by security forces until death and more than 300 of demonstrators were arrested. The clashes started at 2:00 PM (local time) on 9th of March and continued until 11:00 at night. several  banks were burnt several times by the people  (including Tejarat, Sepah, Mellat and Saderat banks) and fires were started in many streets.

MARIVAN - More than 10,000 of people demonstrated in Marivan and clashed with the security forces. The people brought down the statue of a Basiji child (Hussein Fahmideh) from Karaj who lost his blow himself under a tank in Iraq-Iran war. The statue was a symbol of Iranian regime and revolutionary guards in the city. The city came under the control of the people and people distributed candy and pastries to celebrate the new constitution. Clashes between people and Sepah were also reported.

MAHABAD - more than 50,000 of people celebrated the victory of Kurds in signing the Iraqi constitution. The people gathered in chaharcheraq square in Mahabad and the demonstrations started 4:00 PM after the signing of the constitution and marched to the grave of the late Qazi  Muhammad to commemorate him and to congratulate the federal Kurdistan in Iraqi constitution.  The Basiji Qarz-ol-Hasaneh  bank in Mahabad was attacked and its windows were broken. Other banks and public buildings were also attacked by the demonstrators calling for independence.

The KDPI in its announcement on the signing of the federal constitution reported on demonstrations in Mahabad, Saqqiz, Marivan, Bukan, Sardasht and Piranshahr.

Analysis
Kurdish analysts have predicted that 25 years after the Iranian revolution the Kurds will rise up  again for independence in Iran . The time has come now and the winds of revolution are blowing. This is not the first time that the Kurds have massively demonstrated and rioted in Iran , but this time the  political climax is better for the continuation of the riots.
After the suppression of Kurdish movement in Iran in the 80s and assassination of KDPI Kurdish leaders Qasemlu (1989) and Sharafkandi (1992) - both from Mahabad -  the Iranian regime came to the wrong conclusion that the Kurdish movement in Iran is finished.
In 1993, the first massive demonstration In Iran happened in Sanandaj (central axis in eastern Kurdistan) after the death of Moftizadeh (the Sunni religious leader of Kurds in Iran ). He died as a result of torture and 10 years of imprisonment. Kurds in Sanandaj peacefully gathered in hundred of thousands and forced the Shiite regime to bury him in the cemetery that they have selected.
3 years later in 1996 when Mola Rabiei, another high ranking  Kurdish Sunni cleric (the Sunni Friday prayer Imam of Kirmanshah)  was assassinated by the Iranian regime. The Marivan-Javanrud axis in the southern part of Kurdistan province  and Sanandaj (the capital) saw massive demonstrations and riots. The Marivan-Javanrud southern axis historically  has had a strong tendency for independence and the Durrei local government by Mohammad beig and his sons ruled that region  in the early 20th century.
In rashama (Feb-March) 1999, after the detention of Ocalan the leader of PKK, the Kurds in Iran massively demonstrated in Urmia and Kurdish cities in Iran [Al-hayat 20 Feb]. 100,000 Kurds marched in Urmia and the Turkish consulate there was attacked by the Kurds. similar demonstrations happened in Bukan, Mahabad, sanandaj and Kirmanshah. The demonstrations in Kurdish cities in Iran     were  suppressed by the Iranian regime and more than 1000 Kurds were arrested.
The coming into power of Khatami brought false hope in Kurdistan and the Kurds were engaged in a political process with the regime. Even the Kurdish parties in Iran were misled by Khatami's mottos and for the first time the KDPI party called the Kurds to participate in the Iranian parliamentary elections in 2000. Khatami in his second term chose a Shiite Kurd from Bijar Garrus (Dr Ramezanzadeh) as his spokesman and the Iranian regime  allowed the establishment of the Kurdish society in Tehran . The Kurdish faction in parliament (group of Kurdish MPS in Iranian parliament) also came into spotlight.
Khatami's reforms fizzled out and the hardline conservatives managed to block the reform movement. Khatami's reform minded MPs were blocked from the 7th election and Khatami disappointed his followers by not delaying the elections. As a result the  upcoming 7th parliament will be under the control of the conservatives. The hardline Conservatices already control the Judiciary, leadership and revolutionary forces and it is expected that another conservative clergy Dr Rouhani will be the next president - after the end of Khatami's second term.
Khatami's Kurdish spokesman, Ramezanzadeh, has also been recently summoned to the hardline judiciary for his comments. In the Feb 2004 parliamentary election in Iran , more than 50% of Kurdish MPs in parliament were also blocked from participating in the 7th parliamentary elections. As a result, more than 70% of the Kurds boycotted the elections(See [Garrusi 6 Mar 2004]). Cities such as Marivan saw Kurdish riots and clashes with the security riots in protests to the unfair elections.
The recent riots in Kurdish cities in Iran , celebrating the victory and gains of Kurds in the new Iraqi constitution comes in this context of frustration with the Shiite regime in Iran . The instability in Kurdistan comes also in the context of a 2 weeks nationwide strike by the teachers in Iran for increasing their wages. The 2 week strikes started in 6th of March and may be continued after the new year holidays (20 March to 2 April 2004) in Iran . The teacher's strikes in major cities in Iran have forced the regime to dispatch its security forces to the troubled cities in order to suppress the strikes and prevent them from turning into massive demonstrations. This means that the Iranian regime cannot dispatch many extra security personnel to Kurdish cities to suppress the Kurdish movement.
The special anti-riot security forces of Iran are distributed thinly and fighting in many fronts now and in addition, the Iranian regime has dispatched many of its hard-line special units to Iraq to help the Shiites in Iraq to  come into power. The Iraqi Badr brigade trained by the Iranian regime is now busy in Iraq and focusing on Iraqi politics and cannot help to suppress the demonstrations in Kurdish cities and rest of Iran .
This  means that the Shiite security forces are now fighting in two fronts: In Iraq and Iran . Military thinkers from  San Tzhu to Von Clausewitz and Jomini have warned states from getting into war in two fronts. The Kurdish leadership in Iraq and Iran and their allies should be aware of this weakness in the distribution of the Shiite security forces in the region and they can use this window of opportunity to their advantage to deliver a  blow to the Shiite tyranny in the region in a coordinated effort. Specially at a time when the regime is under pressure from both EU and US for its nuclear atomic program.
The nightmare of the Iranian regime has been the unification of Kurds in Iraq and Iran . The future prospects of the unification of Kurdish cities in Iran into a federal Kurdish entity in Iraq can be regarded as a step in a Kurdistan unification project. The more than 8 Millions Kurdish speakers in Iran if they are added to the more than 5 millions Kurdish speakers in Iraq will change the balance of power between Kurds and Shiites in Iraq . Such a development will strengthen the stability of the region because it reduces the chances of the creation of yet another Shiite regime in the region and hence will be compatible  with the interests of the US and Arab countries in the region and the regional balance of power. This could become another win-win scenario for both Kurds and their allies in the region.

http://f27.parsimony.net/forum66647/messages/14739.htm

Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Die iranischen Kurden feiern die irakische Verfassung
Zusammenstösse in mehreren Städten
it. Athen, 11. März
Nach Demonstrationen und Tumulten in mehreren grösseren Städten im Westen Irans sind laut kurdischen Quellen Mitte dieser Woche über 100 Personen festgenommen worden. Betroffen von den Unruhen sind laut diesen Quellen die Städte Mahabad, Piranshar, Bukan, Sardasht und Sanandaj, in denen am Dienstag Tausende einheimische Kurden auf die Strassen strömten, um die Unterzeichnung der neuen irakischen Übergangsverfassung zu feiern. Für die Kurden, die im Irak und in Iran, in Syrien und in der Türkei leben, verkörpert diese Verfassung die Verwirklichung einer nationalen Aspiration. Sie garantiert nämlich den Kurden des Nordiraks weitgehende Autonomie und anerkennt erstmals in der Region eine föderale Staatsform. Kurdisch wird zudem neben dem Arabischen zur zweiten offiziellen Sprache des Staates. Für die rund sechs Millionen Kurden in der Islamischen Republik symbolisiert die neue irakische Verfassung, die trotz dem Widerstand gewichtiger schiitischer Vertreter in Kraft gesetzt wurde, wohl einen Sieg über die Schiiten schlechthin.
Ruf nach Demokratie und Unabhängigkeit
An den Demonstrationen in der Stadt Mahabad haben laut Angaben der Demokratischen Partei Kurdistans in Iran (KDPI) mehr als 50 000 Personen teilgenommen. Die Menschenmenge habe sich auf dem zentralen Platz der Stadt versammelt, wo vor genau 58 Jahren der erste kurdische Staat ausgerufen worden war, der unter dem Namen «Republik von Mahabad» in die Geschichte eingegangen ist. Diese überlebte unter dem Schutz der Sowjetunion ein Jahr lang, bis im Dezember 1946 die iranische Armee in die Stadt einmarschierte.
Die Demonstrationen vom letzten Dienstag arteten offenbar rasch in Zusammenstösse aus. Laut den kurdischen Berichten begann die Menschenmenge «Demokratie für Iran» und «Unabhängigkeit für Kurdistan» zu rufen, worauf die Sicherheitskräfte intervenierten. Die Demonstranten bewarfen öffentliche Gebäude und Banken mit Steinen und steckten einige in Brand. In der Stadt Marivan sollen die Sicherheitskräfte auf die Demonstranten geschossen und eine unbekannte Zahl von Personen verletzt haben. Wie die iranische Zeitung «Jumhuri Islami» berichtete, haben die Kurden Marivan kurz unter ihre Kontrolle gebracht und das Denkmal für einen lokalen «Basij» umgestürzt, einen jener Freiwilligen, die während des Iran-Irak-Kriegs zu Tausenden auf die Schlachtfelder geworfen worden waren. Die Basij-Statuen gelten als Monumente der Islamischen Republik. In dem von Kurden bewohnten Westen Irans herrscht laut der Nachrichtenagentur Kurdishmedia seither die Ausgangssperre. Der Verkehr zwischen den grösseren Städten sei weitgehend eingestellt worden.