New waves of arrest hit Iranian Kurdistan

Mahabad, Iran (Kurdistan24) - In the last ten days, at least 30 Kurds have been arrested in the Kurdish region of Iran (Rojhalat), local news agencies report.

Kurdish men and women between the ages of 25-35 across the northwest of Iran have been detained by Iranian guards who failed to provide court orders or arrest warrants, Kurdpa news agency reports. 

Activists say citizens have been detained in their homes, at late hours of the night and by plain clothes officers of the Intelligence agency, Etlelaat, who refused to offer clear reasons or provide documentations to justify the raids.

Personal belongings of the detainees have reportedly been confiscated and their whereabouts are unclear.

Reports indicate that those taken into the custody of the intelligence agency were from the villages and the cities of Mahabad, Bokan, Sardasht, Mariwan, Eshnavieh and Saghez, located in the provinces of Kurdistan and West Azerbaijan.

Last Monday Iran shot dead two brothers in Sardasht who were carrying goods on their backs across the border, Latif and Raouf Alikhani.

Villagers reacted to the killings of the Kulbar by holding a large funeral.

Iran responded to the peaceful gatherings by cutting the hydro, power and landlines, locals say.

Activists believe the new pressures on civilians is a reaction to the recent clashes between the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) and the government forces in Shno area.

In addition to killing the Peshmerga, Iran smashed down their safe houses and arrested countless citizens.