Iran Summons Nigerian Chargé d'Affaires in Response to Zaria Incidents

Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the Nigerian chargé d'affaires in Tehran on Monday in response to the "attack by Nigerian army forces on the Shia mosque in Zaria," which resulted in the deaths and injuries of several Shia Muslims in Nigeria. According to the Islamic Republic's Foreign Ministry, Iran expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing the Nigerian government's responsibility to protect the lives and properties of Shia Muslims, particularly the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and called for a clarification of the incident's details and prompt compensation for damages. Previously, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the foreign minister, also expressed regret over the incidents that led to the deaths of Shia citizens in Nigeria during a phone call with his Nigerian counterpart, stressing the need for serious action by the Nigerian government to avoid violence and restore peace. The phone call between the foreign ministers of Iran and Nigeria took place on Monday, December 23, one day after clashes between the Nigerian army and a group of Shia Muslims in the Zaria region resulted in several deaths and injuries, and the arrest of the leader of the Shia Islamic Movement. On Sunday, Nigerian army forces stormed the home of Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the Shia Islamic Movement, and two other locations in the Zaria area in northern Nigeria. Mr. Zakzaky has been known for his advocacy since around 1979, coinciding with the Iranian Revolution, and is noted for his influence from Iran. Regarding the recent army raid in Zaria, the Associated Press reported on Sunday, citing Zainab Ibrahim, Mr. Zakzaky's wife, that the army forces "surrounded their home in a premeditated attack to assassinate Sheikh Zakzaky." Mrs. Ibrahim also stated in a phone conversation with the Associated Press that hundreds of Sheikh Zakzaky's followers gathered around their home to protect their leader. This incident occurred after some supporters attempted to block the passage of General Tukur Buratai, the commander of the Nigerian armed forces, by burning tires and throwing stones at his vehicle on Saturday evening. A spokesperson for the Nigerian armed forces described this attempt as "a deliberate act to assassinate" the commander. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that Mr. Zakzaky was arrested at his home. Conflicting reports about the number of casualties have emerged. Sources close to the Shia Islamic Movement described the army's raid on Mr. Zakzaky's home and two other Shia centers as a massacre, reporting hundreds killed in this raid. Ibrahim Musa, a spokesperson for the Shia Islamic Movement, stated that the army retaliated against the stone-throwing at General Buratai's vehicle with "unrestrained and ruthless slaughter." In a statement received by the Associated Press on Monday, it was emphasized that "the massacre at Giyalsu (one of the religious centers of this movement in Zaria) was so ruthless that even those who were injured during the shooting at the crowd were identified and killed." Reports from other sources, including local newspapers, mentioned the death toll as 20, but the Associated Press noted that even on Monday, it was impossible to determine the exact number of victims of this attack as the army would not allow anyone to approach the mosques. Among the initial reports from the incident on Sunday, it was also stated that Zainab Ibrahim, Mr. Zakzaky's wife, was killed shortly after her phone conversation with the Associated Press on Sunday, but it is now reported that she, along with her husband, has been arrested and is in army custody. Mrs. Ibrahim had previously told the Associated Press that the Nigerian army had attacked the Shia Islamic Movement in the past and that last year, three of her sons, who were studying in Beirut and Beijing and had returned to the country for a religious event, were killed by the army. Recently, Shia Muslims in Nigeria had fallen victim to the violence of Boko Haram, and about two weeks ago, 22 Shia were killed in a suicide bombing by members of this jihadist group. Boko Haram typically attacks Muslims who do not agree with their radical interpretation of Islam. In 2009, the Nigerian army attacked the main base of Boko Haram, killing 700 people, including the group's then-leader. However, the group resumed its activities with even greater violence a few years later.