Four Kurdish environmentalists die while extinguishing forest fire in Iran: Rights Group

Four Iranian Kurdish environmentalists died on Saturday while battling a forest fire caused by the bombardment of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) artillery, a rights group reported.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Four Iranian Kurdish environmentalists died on Saturday while battling a forest fire caused by the bombardment of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) artillery, a rights group reported.

The forests are located on the mountainous areas of Silase and Pilai Mariwan (Marivan), recently shelled by the IRGC due to the suspected presence of Kurdish rebel groups hiding in the area, the Kurdish independent human rights group, Hengaw, stated on Saturday.

“Four environmental activists died while trying to extinguish the fire,” the rights group added.

Citing local officials, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency also confirmed the number of casualties was four.

One of those killed was identified as Sharif Bajwar, a well-known environmentalist and civil activist from Mariwan, the rights group said. The four activists had years of experience battling fires.

According to Kurdish sources on social media, following the death of the activists, people began demonstrating inside the city of Mariwan, blaming the IRGC bombardment for their deaths.

In videos posted to social media, namely Telegram, protesters can be heard shouting, “Mr. Sharif, the struggle you have taken will continue,” in support of one of the environmentalists.

Over the past few weeks, Iranian forces have repeatedly shelled bordering areas with the Kurdistan Region because they suspect Kurdish opposition fighters of being present in the region.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany