Overview of Armed Conflicts in Khuzestan

Since the beginning of the revolution in 1979 until September 21, 2018, Khuzestan province has witnessed numerous armed conflicts and political tensions. The roots of many of these conflicts, unrests, and armed attacks have been political, economic, or social dissatisfaction, leaving countless victims. On September 21, 2018, one of the bloodiest clashes in Khuzestan's history occurred when members of the 'Arab Liberation Movement of Ahvaz' attacked a military parade in Ahvaz, resulting in at least 25 deaths and 60 injuries. On December 30, 2017, the jihadist group Ansar al-Furqan claimed responsibility for the explosion of an oil pipeline in Omidiyeh, located in Khuzestan province. On May 14, 2017, armed individuals attacked the police station 22 in the Mujahid neighborhood of Ahvaz, resulting in the injury of soldier Hossein Alboobold and Sergeant Muslim Yadgari, and the deaths of Lieutenant Ali Bakhsh Hasanvand and Sergeant Azizollah Bahmani. On March 8, 2016, a security official announced that members of a 'terrorist' group intending to carry out 'sabotage operations' in Khuzestan had been identified and killed. On January 3, 2017, the 'Arab Liberation Movement of Ahvaz' announced that two days prior, they had coordinated to explode two oil pipelines in Khuzestan province. On June 24, 2016, Farhad Afsharnia, the head of the Khuzestan judiciary, announced that some members of sabotage teams intending to enter the center of the country had been killed in this province. On October 19, 2015, gunmen shot at a mourning procession in Safiabad, a district of Dezful, killing two and injuring two others. On April 2, 2015, during an attack by unknown armed individuals on the police's Nowruz tent in Hamidiyeh county, three police officers were killed and two others were injured. On March 11, 2013, following an explosion in front of a hotel in Imam Khomeini port in Khuzestan province, several buildings and vehicles were damaged, and several were injured. On November 17, 2012, the Ministry of Intelligence officially announced the arrest of several terrorists accused of bombings in 'energy networks of Khuzestan province' in southern Iran. On July 2, 2009, the political and social deputy of the Ahvaz governorate announced that a bomb exploded at 2:45 AM on the coastal road near the Ali Ibn Mahziyar bridge in Ahvaz. On January 24, 2006, two bombs exploded in Ahvaz. The first bomb at Saman Bank killed six to nine people and injured dozens. The second explosion, which had no casualties, occurred at the Natural Resources Department, injuring several people. On June 11, 2005, five days before the presidential elections, four explosions shook Ahvaz, killing seven or eight and injuring over 70. On May 31, 2009, Iranian news agencies reported that security forces had defused a homemade bomb in the restroom of a flight from Ahvaz to Tehran. On October 15, 2005, two explosions that occurred minutes apart in the market of Ahvaz killed four and injured at least 100. A timeline of conflicts in Khuzestan at the beginning of the revolution shows that during the early days of the revolution in 1979, over three months of clashes occurred between the Arab People's political organization and the newly established military forces in the Islamic Republic, with the most significant events detailed as follows: On April 16, 1979, differences arose among clerics in Khorramshahr over the disarmament of forces known as 'Arab People' and religious and revolutionary forces, and the replacement of official forces sent by the government to ensure the city's security. On May 7, 1979, the Arab-speaking delegation in Khuzestan requested autonomy from the government. On May 12, 1979, organizations and councils of the 'Arab People' issued a statement supporting Ayatollah Shabir Khaghani and demanding the immediate dismissal of Madani from the governorship of Khuzestan. On May 23, 1979, Ayatollah Shabir Khaghani delivered a speech against the cultural-military center of Muslim youth in Khorramshahr at Imam Sadiq Mosque, followed by an attack by supporters of the Arab People's group on the center's building, setting it on fire and arresting its members, including Mohammad Jahanara. On June 2, 1979, a group titled 'Representatives of the Muslim Arab People of Iran' met with the Prime Minister in Tehran, submitting demands such as recognition of the Arab nationality of Iran, the establishment of a local council in the autonomous region, participation in the parliament and government, the establishment of an Arab university and courts, recognition of the Arabic language in the region, freedom of expression, and the creation of local radio and television in Arabic. On June 6, 1979, all police forces in Khorramshahr were ordered to begin general disarmament and collect illegal weapons in Khorramshahr at the government's request. On June 7, 1979, three armed members of the Arab People's political organization were arrested by the Revolutionary Guards and army commandos. On June 8, 1979, two members of the Arab People attacked the Khorramshahr customs, resulting in the deaths of two members of the Revolutionary Guards. On June 9, 1979, armed clashes began in Khorramshahr with repeated gunfire from the occupants of a Peykan car at four in the morning; members of the Arab People's political organization barricaded the streets; attacks on the police headquarters; declaration of a state of emergency; attacks on border posts, naval forces, and the port administration; multiple fires; occupation and recapture of various centers; a ban on movement from 10 PM; unrest and clashes in Abadan and Ahvaz coinciding with the clashes in Khorramshahr. Iraqi military movements near the border coincided with the peak of the clashes in Khuzestan. On June 11, 1979, 12 were injured and two were killed during the clashes in Khorramshahr and an armed attack on a gas station in the city. On June 12, 1979, government offices, schools, and markets remained closed for the fourth consecutive day; the second day of sit-in at Imam Sadiq Mosque; power outages in the city; relative calm in Khorramshahr; discovery of several cold and hot weapons by the Revolutionary Guards and monitoring of the borders. On June 18, 1979, the seven-day sit-in of the Arab People's members at Imam Sadiq Mosque in Khorramshahr ended after an agreement between Shabir Khaghani and Madani. On June 20, 1979, an explosion occurred on the railway from Khorramshahr to Ahvaz despite the signing of an agreement between Madani and Shabir Khaghani. On June 23, 1979, the Islamic Revolutionary Prosecutor's announcement in Abadan and Khorramshahr regarding the restriction of nighttime movement on border roads and the necessity of obtaining a weapon transport permit in the region was published. On June 25, 1979, nighttime shootings occurred in Abadan, an attack with Molotov cocktails on the Ettehad cinema, and the port administration of Khorramshahr. On June 28, 1979, an exhibition of weapons and machine guns made in Iraq with the insignia of its army and documents proving Iraq's involvement in the unrest in Khuzestan was held in Ahvaz. On June 29, 1979, tear gas was thrown at the police headquarters and the Kuwaiti market in Abadan. On June 30, 1979, news was published quoting Sadegh Khalkhali about punishing 'traitors and separatists,' including Shabir Khaghani, followed by a call from the Arab People's group for a protest march in Khorramshahr. Attacks on the telecommunications warehouse in Khorramshahr and setting it on fire, burning the port administration houses, and throwing grenades and hand bombs into houses occurred. On July 1, 1979, attacks with grenades and Molotov cocktails and machine guns on various offices and setting fire to the telecommunications building, wood warehouse, and prefabricated houses continued. Protests and gatherings against Khalkhali's statements continued. On July 2, 1979, unrest continued in Khorramshahr; a mine exploded at the intersection of the dirt and asphalt roads of the city; arms smuggling from Iraq to Iran; and the arrest of Mohammad Naseri, an arms smuggler, and Aziz Saberi, a member of the revolutionary organization in Khorramshahr. On July 4, 1979, the warehouse of the water, electricity, and telecommunications organization in Khorramshahr was set on fire for the third time; the head of the telecommunications warehouse in Khorramshahr was arrested on charges of setting fire to this warehouse; six Iraqi spies were arrested in Khuzestan by the Revolutionary Guards. On July 6, 1979, 200 detainees from recent events in Khorramshahr were released; a grenade was thrown at the house of Hojjatoleslam Jami, a cleric from Abadan. On July 9, 1979, armed individuals attacked Abadan airport for the second time and threw grenades at it, damaging a twin-engine aircraft. A group called the Fedayeen of the Arab Political Organization 'Arabistan' issued a warning threatening military operations against government forces and facilities. On July 14, 1979, a hand grenade was thrown into the waiting area of Ahvaz airport, and armed clashes occurred between the attackers and the guards; the statements of the governor of Ahvaz regarding the target of this attack; Kayhan's report on this incident. On July 16, 1979, explosions continued in Khuzestan, including a massive explosion in oil pipelines five kilometers from Mahshahr port, cutting oil lines in Omidiyeh, Aghajari, and Rekord Abadan; an RPG-7 missile was fired at the Saidiyeh border post, destroying the post building and injuring several personnel. On July 17, 1979, a homemade bomb was thrown near the metal bridge of Khorramshahr, injuring three members of the Revolutionary Guards; the Islamic Revolutionary Prosecutor's announcement in Khuzestan regarding severe punishment for armed demonstrations in the city. On July 19, 1979, armed attacks on police officers stationed under the bridge and the naval base in Khorramshahr and border posts in Khorramshahr occurred; explosives were thrown towards the police club in Ahvaz, and an explosion occurred on the railway from Khorramshahr to Ahvaz. On July 20, 1979, explosions in oil pipelines from Ahvaz to the Abadan refinery occurred; multiple attacks by unknown groups on various centers in Khorramshahr; clashes between the Revolutionary Guards and protesters on Minu Island. On July 21, 1979, the execution of Abdolreza Al-Kathir, son of one of the Khuzestan chieftains, for anti-revolutionary actions and creating chaos in the Dezful region occurred. On July 22, 1979, armed clashes and explosions intensified in Khuzestan, including shooting at police officers stationed under the bridge and the naval base in Khorramshahr, attacks on guards and police officers, and sabotage in the Dar Khoyan oil pipeline. A new group called the Lightning Guerrilla Organization was announced in Khuzestan, issuing a statement outlining its goals, including guerrilla warfare for the autonomy of Khuzestan. On July 24, 1979, a grenade was thrown into the crowd, killing seven and injuring sixty, and a group opened fire on members of the Revolutionary Guards. On July 25, 1979, Shabir Khaghani was transferred from Khorramshahr to Ahvaz. Madani's resignation was not accepted by the government, and he was retained in his position. In this context, 13 years of bombings and armed conflicts in Khuzestan. The Khuzestan governorate announced the number of victims of the attack on the Ahvaz parade as 25.