10 killed in anti-hijab protests in Iran

This image grab from a UGC video, reportedly shows protesters throwing a small explosive device at a banner. Pic/AFP

At least 10 people, including children were killed late Friday, in a crackdown against anti-hijab protests in Iran by Iranian security forces in the southeast of the country," agencies reported, citing a human watchdog.

The report further said that Iranian security forces had fired live ammunition at "peaceful protesters from the rooftops of the governor's office and several other buildings" in the city of Khash in Sistan and Balochistan province. According to Iranian state media and activists, protests against authorities turned violent on Friday in several cities across southeast Iran, including Khash. One video from the city posted by state media showed plumes of smoke rising from a building.

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The group said it was "gravely concerned about further bloodshed amid internet disruptions and reports of authorities bringing more security forces to Khash from Zahedan." "Iran's authorities must immediately rein in security forces. Member states of the UN must immediately raise concerns with Iran's ambassadors and support the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism by the UN Human Rights Council," the human rights watchdog said. A video from Khash appears to show several protesters wounded and unconscious on the ground, after loud gunshots rang out in the background.

The violence on Friday comes amid nationwide protests against the death of Mahsa Amini. However, the death toll cannot be verified. A precise death toll is impossible for those outside Iran's government to confirm.

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