Simultaneously, in most of these cities, people staged protests. The IRGC opened fire and launched teargas in Divandareh, Saqqez, and Sanandaj and attacked the protesters. Based on initial reports, several people were killed or wounded. Chanting “have no fear, we are all together,” “Saqqez is not alone,” they hurled rocks and courageously confronted the suppressive forces.
In Divandareh, people beat up the attacking forces forcing many of them to flee. The sound of gunfire could be heard in the city for several hours. In many cities of the Kurdistan Province, including Sanandaj, a number of youths were arrested. The regime has shut down or slowed down the internet.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), hailed those staging a strike in Iranian Kurdistan as well as the brave youth in Sanandaj, Divandareh, and other cities, who have risen up against the oppression and killings by Ali Khamenei and Ebrahim Raisi and are confronting the suppressive forces. She said that uprising, defiance, and maximum offense are the only effective way to stop the cycle of suppression and crimes by the religious dictatorship and its suppressive forces against the Iranian people and women.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
September 19, 2022