Also available in Persian — نسخه فارسی EN فا
❓ Unknown

Hengaw: 67 Kolbers Killed or Injured in One Month

Feb 4, 2026 February 4, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

In February 2024, at least 67 Kolbers were killed or injured in Iran's Kurdish regions, primarily due to gunfire from Iranian armed forces. This represents a significant increase in violence against Kolbers, including incidents involving children. The ongoing violence highlights the dangerous conditions faced by Kolbers in these border areas.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The rising violence against Kolbers underscores the precarious situation of marginalized communities in Iran and the state's aggressive border enforcement.

👥 Key Players

Hengaw MENTIONED
Human rights organization
"Hengaw documents human rights abuses in Kurdish regions of Iran, providing critical insights into the treatment of minority groups."
Islamic Republic of Iran's Armed Forces MENTIONED
Military and law enforcement
"They are responsible for enforcing border security and have been implicated in violence against Kolbers, highlighting state repression."
Kolbers MENTIONED
Cross-border laborers
"Kolbers are often marginalized individuals who transport goods across borders, facing extreme risks and violence in their livelihoods."

📰 What Happened

In February 2024, at least 67 Kolbers were killed or injured in Iran's Kurdish regions, primarily due to gunfire from Iranian armed forces. This marks a significant increase in violence against these laborers, including incidents involving children.

  • 85% of the incidents were due to direct gunfire from Iranian armed forces.
  • This represents a 34% increase in violence compared to the previous month.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The increase in violence against Kolbers highlights the Iranian government's harsh treatment of ethnic minorities and raises concerns over human rights abuses.
🌍 Regional: This situation may exacerbate ethnic tensions in the region and could lead to increased unrest among Kurdish populations.
🌐 International: International human rights organizations may use these incidents to pressure Iran regarding its treatment of minorities and border policies.

📚 Background

Kolbers are individuals who carry goods across the Iran-Iraq border, often facing extreme dangers due to military enforcement and harsh environmental conditions. The Kurdish regions of Iran have a history of economic neglect and political repression.

Human rights in Iran Kurdish minority issues
📡 Source: OPPOSITION
📊 Confidence: 70%
Hengaw is an opposition-affiliated organization, which may lead to a focus on negative aspects of the Iranian government's actions, but their reports are often corroborated by multiple sources.

The human rights organization Hengaw announced on Thursday, March 1, citing reports from its statistics and documentation center, that at least 67 Kolbers were killed or injured at the borders of Kurdish regions in Iran in February 2024. According to the organization's report, 85% of these cases were due to direct gunfire from the armed forces of the Islamic Republic, and this figure represents an increase of 17 cases, or 34%, compared to the previous month. Hengaw emphasized that the statistics indicate that 4 Kolbers and merchants were killed, and 53 Kolbers were injured. Among these Kolbers, at least 2 children were injured by direct gunfire from the Islamic Republic's border guards at the Baneh border. The statistics show that 36 Kolbers were injured at the borders of Kermanshah province. Reports also indicate that at least 20 Kurdish Kolbers were injured on the evening of March 1 due to gunfire from border patrol officers in the Nowsud border area of Kermanshah province. According to statistics published on the 'Kolber News' website, in 2023, a total of 299 Kolbers in border areas and roadways of West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah provinces were killed or injured due to factors such as direct gunfire from military forces, avalanches, frostbite, stepping on landmines, and falling from heights. At least 20 Kolbers were injured on 'Saturday evening' due to gunfire from the Islamic Republic's officers, and 3 Kolbers were injured in western Iran; painful encounters with Kolbers continue.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

📰 Related Coverage

⚖️ Independent Platform — Artesh.com is not affiliated with any government, military, or political organization. Editorial Policy →