According to statistics compiled by Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), there has been an intense security crackdown in Kurdistan since July. At least 22 Kurdish civilians and activists have been arrested by forces of the Intelligence Service and Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Marivan, Kamyaran, Sanandaj, Divandareh, Tehran and Sare-pole-zahab so far. Only one of these detainees, Amjad Seifi from Kamyaran, was released after a day of detention and the other detainees are still being questioned at the above-mentioned two security centers.
Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has obtained information that the IRGC has militarised the “Shaho” and “Kosalan” mountains in Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces in addition to the border areas of Maku city in West Azerbaijan province since late July. It is noteworthy that Hossein Salami (IRGC commander) has visited the mountains of Shaho in the city of Paveh on Aug 7 and Orumiyeh on Aug 13. The IRGC has also restricted the movement of ranchers and farmers to these areas and pressured them to report any movements of Kurdish opposition forces.
According to reports, more than 40 civilians of Sanandaj have been arrested political and religious activities three months ago and some of them are still being questioned and pressured to make false confessions.
Moreover, following several armed clashes between IRGC and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) guerrillas this July in the border areas of Maku, at least 15 Kurdish civilians were arrested in Maku, Chaldaran and Orumiyeh. These people were transferred to the IRGC detention center (formerly known as Ramadan) where they are still being detained.
