Street demonstrations calling for democratic reform are spreading in cities throughout western Iran.
The Iranian opposition has reported clashes between Kurdish pro-democracy
forces and authorities in western Iran. The opposition said battles took
place in Baneh, Mahabad, Marivan, Piranshahr and Sanandaj.
Several demonstrators were
injured and dozens of others were arrested in the demonstrations on April 6, Middle East Newsline reported. Opposition sources said police
used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protests.
"In retaliation, many protesters inflicted damages to security patrol
cars and public buildings," the SMCCDI opposition group said in a statement.
There was no independent confirmation of the opposition report. Western
diplomatic sources, however, have reported an increase in unrest near the
Iranian-Iraqi border.
Western Iran has a large Kurdish population and the government has
cracked down in an attempt to quell separatism inspired by the autonomous
Kurdish region in northern Iraq. Opposition sources said Kurdish
nationalists have also joined the pro-democracy rallies.
"Armed masked protesters took over several security buildings and were able
to disarm some of the security forces," the SMCCDI statement said.
Later, authorities were said to have sent reinforcements from Marivan to
restore control of the buildings. The opposition sources said the
pro-democracy demonstrations were inspired by elections in Iraq.
