Security Meeting of the Ministry of Interior Following Deadly Clan Clash in Ramhormoz, Khuzestan

Following a deadly clash between two clans in the city of Baghamalak in Khuzestan province that left at least one dead and several injured on Friday night, a member of parliament reported on a security meeting held by the Ministry of Interior regarding the incident. Earlier reports cited the same parliament member stating that the deadly clash had resulted in at least 22 deaths and many injuries. However, this was later corrected to indicate that the figure referred to the total casualties from the ongoing conflict over the past two years. Reports indicate that during the clash, a village was completely evacuated, displacing its residents, and five residential units along with a motorcycle were set ablaze. The Iranian Labor News Agency, ILNA, reported on Saturday, June 20, citing Hedayatollah Khademi, a member of parliament for Izeh and Baghamalak, that members of the two clans clashed in the villages of 'Patek Jalali' and 'Patek Bigdeli' in the Baghamalak region on Friday night in Ramhormoz using 'advanced military weapons.' Mr. Khademi added that as a result of these clashes, 'a large number of people from these villages have been displaced, and at least one village has been completely evacuated, with the displaced residents seeking refuge in nearby villages.' IRNA also reported, citing Alireza Ghasemi Nejad, the prosecutor of Ramhormoz, that this clan conflict occurred on Friday in the cities of 'Baghamalak' and 'Ramhormoz.' According to Mr. Ghasemi Nejad, efforts are underway to identify motorcyclists who demonstrated in the city and engaged in the destruction of homes and injuring some members of the opposing clan. He stated that as a result of this demonstration, five residential homes and one motorcycle were set on fire, and four individuals were injured on Friday night, with two more injured on Saturday morning. This judicial official also reported in an interview with the 'Mizan' news agency that three individuals have been arrested in connection with these clashes. A member of the security council of Ramhormoz also reported to the local website 'Ramhormoz News' about the shooting death of an individual named Mohammad Mohammadmousai at his workplace. This website also cited a security official reporting that the police were authorized to shoot following the outbreak of this conflict. As this media outlet noted, police forces 'are authorized to shoot anyone carrying a weapon according to the prosecutor's order.' 'Ramhormoz News' also wrote that the investigation into these clashes is set to be on the agenda of the government and the National Security Commission of the parliament. Majid Naseri Nejad, the head of the Khuzestan representatives assembly, also reported on local and governmental security efforts to resolve 'clan disputes' in some cities of Khuzestan province. Mr. Naseri Nejad stated that 'these disputes have arisen due to a clan conflict that has been ongoing for more than two to three years.' He added, 'Unfortunately, in these years of conflict, with several people killed, there have only been superficial and temporary responses to this issue.' He further noted, 'This conflict is not limited to one city; it has affected the northern part of the province and involves cities such as Baghamalak and Behbahan as well.' According to judicial officials in Khuzestan province, as a result of clan conflicts between tribes in the counties of Baghamalak and Ramhormoz, 18 people have been killed since 2015. Last year, a conflict between these two clans led to the issuance of eight 'retribution' sentences by the judiciary, and the case for these eight sentences has been sent to Tehran for final approval. These clashes continued last week, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to several others. According to the prosecutor of Ramhormoz, the judiciary has also issued 200 'exile' and 'prison' sentences for those involved in the clashes in the counties of Baghamalak and Ramhormoz since last year. This judicial official stated that following the approval of the security council and the establishment of peace and reconciliation committees, it was decided to suspend these sentences and give these individuals a chance for peace, but 'with recent events, the judiciary is requesting the enforcement of previous sentences and the identification and decisive action against the new instigators of the clashes.' According to this report, the conflict between the 'Mohammadi' and 'Mousai' clans began eight years ago due to property disputes and continues to this day, with efforts for peace and reconciliation between them having so far been unsuccessful. The accused and instigators of these clashes reside in more than nine villages in Baghamalak and two villages in Ramhormoz.