Three protesting citizens from Takab, named Nasser Bahramian, Hojjat Momenzadeh, and Armin Nikzad, were severely injured when security forces opened fire on them. The shooting took place following a protest rally against the lack of employment opportunities for the local people in the Aq Darreh mine.
On Monday, July 31, 2023, following the protest of the people of Aq Darreh village over the lack of employment opportunities for the local youth in the Aq Darreh gold mine, government troops raided and clamped down on them. In a raid at 3 a.m. today, the security forces demolished people’s vehicles, homes, and properties, and arrested 42 villagers. Three of the detained individuals were among the injured in yesterday’s clash.
After popular protests, state forces were deployed from Mahabad to Takab to crack down on the people. Security forces clashed with the people. In this confrontation, three Kurdish and native residents of Aq Darreh village in Takab county were injured by the gunfire of security and special forces during their protests against the lack of employment opportunities for local people in the gold mine of the village.
According to informed sources, Hojjat Momenzadeh was injured in the chest area, Armin Nikzad was injured in the shoulder and arm area, and Nasser Bahramian was injured in the pelvic area. They were transferred to Khomeini Hospital in Urmia and medical centers in Zanjan for treatment.
Government forces have reportedly surrounded the area and cut off the internet in the region.
The Aq Darreh gold mine, located in the Shir-Mard village, 30 kilometers from Takab in West Azerbaijan province, is the second largest gold mine in the country. Each year, seven and a half tons of gold are extracted from Iran’s gold mines, including 6.7 tons from the Dashkasan, Zarshuran, and Aq Darreh mines.
