12 Killed and 16 Injured in Bloody Clash in Baghmalek

A clash between two tribes over "land ownership" in Baghmalek County, Khuzestan Province, has resulted in 12 deaths and 16 injuries. Baghmalek County is located about 60 kilometers from Ramhormoz County and 150 kilometers from Ahvaz. According to Mehr News Agency, the two tribes clashed on Tuesday, September 23, in the village of Patak Jalali in the Meydavood district of Baghmalek, and the fighting escalated within a few hours, leading to this number of casualties. Colonel Rahman Mousavi, the social deputy of the Khuzestan Police Command, told Iranian news agencies that the conflict ended after several hours with the intervention of police and security forces, and some participants in the clash have been arrested while efforts continue to apprehend others involved. The situation is now calm. IRNA reported eyewitness accounts stating that the clash stemmed from years-long disputes between the two tribes over agricultural land ownership, and they had clashed multiple times before, but the intensity of Tuesday's conflict was unprecedented. Witnesses reported that both sides fired at each other using hunting rifles. Latif Hayai Ahvazi, the governor of Baghmalek County, also told IRNA that the two tribes had been engaged in verbal disputes for some time, and local elders had made efforts for peace and reconciliation, but to no avail. He added that the day before the clash, three fleeing suspects had been arrested, but the next day, a local provocation reignited tensions, leading several men, women, and youths to attack each other, and the fighting escalated within 15 minutes. According to the report, these two tribes have had disputes over these agricultural lands for more than eight years. The governor of Baghmalek also mentioned that "when the injured were transferred to the hospital in Ramhormoz County, tribes associated with the tribes of Patak Jalali rushed to the hospital, but fortunately, with the prudence of the police, a second clash was prevented." Hashim Baladi, the director of crisis management in Khuzestan Province, also told Mehr News Agency that the crisis management of Khuzestan Province announced the readiness of the Red Crescent, fire department, and emergency services during the clash and coordinated with hospitals to accommodate potential casualties. Colonel Rahman Mousavi also stated, "We will deal with anyone who intends to evade the law or disrupt public order and security according to the law." He added that he urges the people of Khuzestan Province, especially Baghmalek County, to obtain news only from credible media sources, as social networks and unofficial sources present issues in a way that creates fear and panic.