Protest in Kazeroon Escalates into Conflict and Violence

Reports circulating on social media indicate that a protest in Kazeroon on Wednesday, May 15, escalated into clashes with security forces. Fars News Agency reports that one person was killed and six others were injured in the violence. According to Fars, the protest was organized via Telegram. The news agency also stated that 'one of the police stations' in Kazeroon was set on fire. Fars added that this was the 'first time' protests in Kazeroon turned violent. Based on images shared on social media, a gathering was held in front of the police force on Wednesday evening, but it escalated into clashes following gunfire from security forces. Some reports indicate that several protesters were killed or injured. The Iran Human Rights Campaign also reported that several individuals were arrested during the protest on Wednesday. Protests in Kazeroon began following a proposal regarding administrative divisions in the county. According to IRNA, Kazeroon citizens are protesting the separation of the regions of 'Qayemiyeh,' 'Noudan,' and 'Dasht-e-Barm' from the county. Under this proposal, the two regions of 'Chenar Shahijan' and 'Qayemiyeh' would be separated from Kazeroon, creating a new county named 'Koh-e-Chenar.' This comes despite previous announcements from government officials, including the First Vice President and the Governor of Fars, that the proposal had been canceled. Protests in Kazeroon had also taken place in late April, with demonstrators chanting slogans against government officials and state media. Protesters shouted slogans like 'Our enemy is right here; they lie that it's America.' In this context, the First Vice President criticized the protests in Kazeroon.