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Iran Focus
 Tehran,
Iran, Jan. 12 – Angry people clashed with government forces in the southern
city of Ahwaz on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, local residents told Iran Focus.
Protests began after traditional prayers on the Muslim holy day on
Wednesday. Demonstrators from the Arab-dominated city called for the
release of political prisoners and began a march from the Shilang-Abad district heading towards Ahwaz Prison.
Agents of the State Security Forces (SSF) attacked the protestors with truncheons, an eye-witness told Iran Focus is an email
interview.
The protestors, who chanted anti-government slogans, threw stones at the
agents of the SSF in retaliation.
The witness said that police used tear gas in an attempt to disperse the
demonstrators.
In the ensuing clashes a number of demonstrators were badly beaten by
security forces.
Ahwaz, provincial capital of Khuzistan,
is home to Iran’s
ethnic Arab population and has been a hotbed of anti-government
demonstrations. Throughout the months of April and July, the city was the
scene of large-scale clashes between people and government forces.
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