ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have deployed to Kurdish areas, setting up temporary checkpoints to interrogate people in a bid to stifle celebrations of Newroz (the new year), a watchdog said on Friday. There were reports of clashes between the crowds and security forces.
“IRGC forces, using vehicles equipped with DShK machine guns, set up checkpoints on the roads leading to the villages of Kani Sork and Singan in Shno county [Oshnavieh], inspecting citizens' vehicles and interrogating passengers. These forces have also patrolled certain streets in Shno to create an atmosphere of fear and prevent gatherings from forming,” said the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN).
Footage shared by the monitor showed people clashing with security forces who tried to prevent the celebrations.امروز جمعه ۲۴ اسفند ۱۴۰۳، نیروهای سپاه پاسداران با خودروهای مجهز به سلاحهای دوشکا در مسیر روستاهای «کانیسورک» و «سینگان» در شهرستان اشنویه اقدام به ایجاد ایست بازرسی کرده و ضمن تفتیش خودروهای شهروندان، مسافران را مورد بازجویی قرار میدهند. این نیروها همچنین در برخی از خیابان… pic.twitter.com/hmFS5DbuKk
— Kurdistan Human Rights Network (@KurdistanHRN) March 14, 2025
Newroz is celebrated on the first day of spring, but for Kurds in western Iran (Rojhalat) the festivities begin days in advance.
“IRGC forces have also been deployed on the road to the village of Nobar in Bokan county, preventing citizens from traveling to Mount Targhe to hold Newroz celebrations,” KHRN said.
A large crowd celebrated Newroz in Saqqez.
In Kermanshah, security and law enforcement agencies have also tried to prevent celebrations “by pressuring and threatening the organizers,” KHRN said, noting that festivities have continued despite the threats.مراسم نوروز در بخش صاحب شهرستان سقز با حضور هزاران نفر برگزار شد.
— Hengaw Organization for Human Rights (@HengawO) March 14, 2025
جمعه / ۲۴ اسفند ۱۴۰۳#نوروز_کردستان pic.twitter.com/Gli6qWxrMa
Several Kurds in Bokan and Shno were summoned to the Intelligence Department and the IRGC Intelligence Organization, where they were warned against joining Newroz events. Hasan Kakei, a Kurdish artist from Bokan, was among those who received a warning, according to Hengaw Human Rights Organization.حضور نیروهای امنیتی برای ممانعت از برگزاری مراسم نوروز در کرمانشاه (کرماشان) و اعتراض شهروندان کُرد
— Hengaw Organization for Human Rights (@HengawO) March 14, 2025
کرمانشاه / درهدریژه / ۲۴ اسفند ۱۴۰۳#نوروز_کوردستان pic.twitter.com/DGcAwWPXLJ
Iran frequently detains Kurdish civilians during Newroz. It also prohibits the use of Kurdish symbols and songs during the holiday and has banned traditional Kurdish folk dances known as halparke, performed by mixed groups of men and women. Over the past year, this tradition has resurged in popularity, drawing large crowds. Events feature people dancing in traditional Kurdish clothes to Kurdish music, and lighting a large fire.
On March 7, Iran’s intelligence service summoned dozens of people and instructed them not to wear traditional Kurdish clothing during Newroz celebrations, according Hengaw.
Jamaneh and khaki are traditional Kurdish outfits that have often been worn by opposition groups and are considered symbols of resistance. Many people will share photographs of themselves wearing traditional attire on social media as an act of dissent.
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