A considerable number of the protesters are around 20 years old and engage in courageous fights with the mullahs' suppressive forces, eyewitnesses reported. At least three of those killed were 15 and 16 year olds. There are also many students among those wounded or arrested.
Following the discovery of the dead body of Molla Mohammad Rabaii, a Sunni leader, people of Ravansar staged a demonstration on Monday, chanting anti-establishment slogans and clashing with the Guards Corps who opened fire on the protesters. Some 300 persons were wounded, who had to be transferred to Janvanrood due to a shortage of space in Ravansar, itself. Of the 13 who were hospitalized in Ravansar, Kourosh Mohammadi, 19, lost his life due to severe injuries.
The next day in Javanrood, youths gathered in Bassij Square and staged a protest in solidarity with the demonstration Monday in Ravansar. They chanted slogans against Khamenei and Rafsanjani. The youngsters clashed with the Security Forces and Guards Corps. At least 50 were wounded and a large number, including three 15 and 16 year old students were killed. Subsequently, the residents of Javanrood took to the streets. They attacked government buildings and centers of suppression, smashing the windows and setting them on fire. The buildings were inflicted with heavy damage and at least one revolutionary guards was killed in these attacks.
Tuesday afternoon, Ravansar saw another popular demonstration which was raided by Pasdaran (revolutionary guards) who were on full alert. The protest was dispersed only after dozens of demonstrators were killed and wounded.
Wednesday afternoon, thousands of people of Kermanshah gathered in front of the Shafe'i Mosque to stage a protest. As the Security Forces and Guards Corps intervened, heavy clashes broke out. 21 persons were arrested and seven wounded. At the same time, a colonel, Ali Akbar Najafi, was killed in clashes with the protesters. All the provincial officials took part in his funeral on Thursday.
Thursday morning in Paveh, over 500 youngsters clashed with the Security Forces. At least 30 were arrested.
The situation is very tense throughout Kermanshah province and the regime's forces are on full alert in all the cities. Tehran state-radio attributed the protests to the supporters of the Mojahedin.
Mr. Massoud Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, described the popular uprisings in this province as an example of the public hatred of the mullahs' illegitimate regime throughout the country and called on the nation to rise to the assistance of their courageous compatriots in Kermanshah.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran - Paris
December 6, 1996
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