Fars News, August 05 2021:… Al-Ahwaziyah, an Arab separatist group, has long has ties with Saudi Arabia and has run joint operations by the ISIL in the last several years as well. Human Rights Lawyer and Director of Partners for Rights Elahé Sharifpour-Hicks, a member of the US-backed opposition of the Islamic Republic based in the western countries, wrote on her twitter page that armed members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO also known as MEK, NCRI or PMOI) terrorist group trained by Israel are actively present among protesting people in Khuzestan to provoke tensions. Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
MEK Killed Americans Iranians And More
Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Judiciary Official: Considerable Number of Detained Protestors in Southwestern Iran Freed
TEHRAN (FNA)- Head of Iran’s Judiciary Office in Khuzestan province Sadeq Moradi announced on Sunday that a large number of protesters arrested during the recent protests at water shortage in the Southwestern province have been released.
“Upon an order by the Judiciary Chief (Gholam Hossein Mohseni Eje’i) to the Judiciary’s Office in Khuzestan to immediately release those who have been detained during the recent incidents solely for protests, the cases of the detainees were immediately investigated and the necessary orders were issued to free these protesters,” Moradi told reporters in Ahvaz.
He also referred to his Sunday visit to Ahvaz prison for several hours to expedite the process of releasing the protesters, and said,
“Over the past two days, a significant number of those who had participated in the recent unrests only to protest were released, and a number of others will be freed in the coming days after completing the legal process.”
Moradi said cases of a few individuals who had carried out armed attacks will be sent to the relevant courts as soon as possible.
People in Khuzestan province rallied last week to protest shortages of drinking and agricultural water, and the drying up of wetlands and rivers.
It is less than a month that the western regions of Khuzestan have been in a water crisis, and due to the lack of water in the Hur al-Azim wetland, some local people have lost their livestock. A number of young people have been holding mostly peaceful protest rallies in the past few days in certain regions of Khuzestan province. Yet, Separatist and anti-revolutionary groups have been attempting to provoke rallies into rioting by false-flag operations and through a large disinformation campaign.
Rioters and armed militants disguised among protestors who have been holding rallies to demand solution of their problems related to water shortage and drought in Iran’s Southwestern province of Khuzestan killed a number of protestors and a policeman and wounded several others.
Edy Cohen, the Israeli media analyst close to Netanyahu and Mossad, had last month disclosed Israel’s close ties and support for the separatist groups in Southwestern Iran, specially al-Ahwaziyah terrorist group.
Cohen released an image of his meeting with a ringleader of al-Ahwaziyah terrorist group on his twitter page, stressing that Israel supports the separatist groups in Iran’s Southwestern province of Khuzestan and is standing beside them against the Islamic Republic.
ايها العرب حرروا الاحواز من براثين ايران pic.twitter.com/5CF3RrRMzA
— إيدي كوهين אדי כהן 🇮🇱 (@EdyCohen) September 20, 2020
He then addressed the Persian Gulf Arab states, saying, “Arabs! Watch! We, the Jews, supported them. You, the Arabs, did not support the Ahwazis. The Jews are nobler than you. Shame on you the cowards and servants of Iran. History will not show mercy to you, the Arabs.”
Al-Ahwaziyah, an Arab separatist group, has long has ties with Saudi Arabia and has run joint operations by the ISIL in the last several years as well.
Human Rights Lawyer and Director of Partners for Rights Elahé Sharifpour-Hicks, a member of the US-backed opposition of the Islamic Republic based in the western countries, wrote on her twitter page that armed members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO also known as MEK, NCRI or PMOI) terrorist group trained by Israel are actively present among protesting people in Khuzestan to provoke tensions.
Unfortunately many of armed MKO members are among protestors in Kuzestan. The group has been supported, funded and trained by Israel.
— Elahé Sharifpour-Hicks (@HicksElahe) July 21, 2021
The Al-Ahwaziyah terrorist group released photos and videos claiming that it planned to riot in some parts of Khuzestan; the images showed a number of individuals who raised the flag of al-Ahwaziyah terrorist group among the protesting people rallying in Shadegan and Susangerd.
The group has a record of numerous terrorist operations in Iran in the past two decades, killing citizens, including children and women.
One factor behind Iran’s water shortages is a sharp drop in rainfall, which has been more than 40% below last year’s levels in recent months, combined with high Summer temperatures. The drought has left Iran’s dams with less water to generate electricity, contributing to blackouts in recent weeks.
Saudi Tail Wagging British Dog – Iran International and Mujahedin-e Khalq Terrorism
Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Eje’i issued an order to immediately follow up on resolving the water problem in Khuzestan, and a senior judicial and executive delegation was sent to the Southwestern province to investigate the issue. President Hassan Rouhani also sent the Head of the Crisis Management Organization to Khuzestan at the head of a high-level delegation to settle the problems in the province as soon as possible.
Meantime, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined the necessity for resolving water shortage problems in Khuzestan as fast as possible.
Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
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Mujahedin-Khalq And al-Ahwaz Terrorists – Iran Interlink Weekly Digest – Jul 23, 2021
Iran Interlink, July 25 2021:… Coordination between the MEK and Ahwazi group goes back a long time. Before this was a joint operation during a military parade to mark the anniversary of the Revolution, when the Ahwazi group opened fire on the audience. Iran International TV – a Saudi outlet based in London – invited both groups to a programme to talk about the violence and claim responsibility for it. This outraged Iran which objected to the British government allowing self-confessed terrorist groups to operate from inside their country. Now, in Khuzestan we are witnessing the same thing. Iran International TV, the MEK and the Ahwazi group joining together to claim that Khuzestan should separate from Iran and for armed resistance to be established to achieve this. Mujahedin-Khalq And al-Ahwaz Terrorists
Terrorists were from “al-Ahwaz Arab People’s Democratic Front” based in London and “Peoples Mojahedin Khalq Organisation” based in Albania
Mujahedin-Khalq And al-Ahwaz Terrorists – Iran Interlink Weekly Digest – Jul 23, 2021
Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan
++ The disturbances in Khuzestan began with a genuine grievance over water shortages. Very quickly the Saudi backed ‘separatist movement’ with its HQ in London, embarked on its own disruption and incitement to violence, bringing arms into the confrontations with local police. This resulted in several deaths and injuries among both police and civilians. In line with this, the MEK, as usual, came to help, claiming on its websites that the civilians were shot by the police – this is while video film shows that the armed Ahwazi group were shooting people.
#Iranian Fars News broadcasting videos clearly showing #American/ #SaudiArabia Backed #terrorists firing at people. #BidenHarris admin, while censoring likes of Fars News in the west claim Iranian Police is killing their own people in #Khozestan.
**https://t.co/KbBT8l5ucC— Massoud khodabandeh (@ma_khodabandeh) July 20, 2021
Coordination between the MEK and Ahwazi group goes back a long time. Before this was a joint operation during a military parade to mark the anniversary of the Revolution, when the Ahwazi group opened fire on the audience. Iran International TV – a Saudi outlet based in London – invited both groups to a programme to talk about the violence and claim responsibility for it. This outraged Iran which objected to the British government allowing self-confessed terrorist groups to operate from inside their country. Now, in Khuzestan we are witnessing the same thing. Iran International TV, the MEK and the Ahwazi group joining together to claim that Khuzestan should separate from Iran and for armed resistance to be established to achieve this.
The last time it didn’t work and nor has it this time. However, this tactic is known to Iran observers. The Saudis and the US anti-Iran cabal push this agenda as an annoyance to score points against Iran rather than seriously believing that Khuzestan can be separated. As far as the MEK are concerned they have become a laughing stock due to their morph from an anti-Imperialist group to now openly saying whatever the Saudis tell them to say. Some critics in Farsi wrote to remind us that although the MEK are now crying wolf for the people of Khuzestan, at the time of Saddam they were fighting against them for Saddam. Ironically, this recent unrest has promoted a statement from Massoud Rajavi. Commentators mostly point out how irrelevant he is. But one writer compares Massoud Rajavi with Dracula; ‘although he’s dead, every time he smells blood, he wakes up. All it needs is the garlic of logic and peace and he’ll go back to his coffin and slam the lid shut’. Mehdi Khoshhal writes with the title: ‘Let’s say the leader IS alive’. The piece addresses the MEK members; ‘what are you doing? What is Rajavi doing? If he’s alive, why are you and your organisation in such a mess? And why isn’t he doing anything as a leader – surely he’d be better off dead? From the start Massoud Rajavi wasn’t doing anything. He was just in the right place and the right time to be used by anti-Iran forces and is still fulfilling this role.’ Ali Shirzad also writes in a similar way to the members, saying: ‘putting all these things aside, let’s talk about you inside this organisation. Let’s say you are where you are – mercenaries, dying, trapped, expelled etc – the main question is who is at fault for this destruction of your organisation. Do you blame Iran as your enemy, or the US as your supporters? Me, I blame your leaders.’
Why Western media silent on Ahvaz terrorist attack
++ Inevitably, there were many responses to the MEK online conference. In the main, commentators said that the US and the west only do this – support MEK – to stop any kind of rapprochement. The intention is to trigger hatred with the hope that Iranians will start hating the MEK. They want to cause division because they can’t have a war. Even though every one of the participants is corrupt, as a general rule, the money that pays them comes from the Zionist circles who don’t want Iran to be friendly with the west.
++ In Albania, Gholamreza Shekari, a former MEK member who had vanished for a while, has re-emerged this week. He has now told his story in an interview with Mardom TV, and in a brief he published online as well. He explains how the MEK set him up when he was giving a lift to someone to a bus station. They planned to inform police that he was smuggling the person out of Albania so that he was detained and investigated. Shekari lines this betrayal and deception up alongside other similar things the MEK do, such as the case of Ehsan Bidi, or the kidnap and smuggling of Hadi Sani Khani from Albania to France, as well as other individual cases. He then talks about those who have disappeared, and their body has later been found. No one asks MEK about these. One was the champion swimmer who drowned in shallow water. He describes other people vanishing, committing suicide but, he says, nobody is allowed to investigate the MEK on these issues. Even in cases like that of Mohammad Reza Kolahi who was assassinated in Netherlands, Maryam and the MEK leaders are never questioned even though everyone knew that he had renounced the MEK and yet was a liability for them since he was responsible for the MEK bombing of the Islamic Republican Party in 1981. The piece concludes that the MEK are given open hand in Europe and the US. Even though Maryam Rajavi has been expelled from Europe, they still continue with their illegal activities in Albania and outside. Returning to his own situation, Shekari says, ‘they offered to get me freed if I would work for them. But I rejected them and was freed anyway since the police had nothing to charge me with. Let this be a warning to others to be careful. Don’t get near the MEK or they may trap you or trick you.’
In English:
++ Both western and Iranian media called out the hypocrisy of those Americans who participated in the MEK online conference. The only motivation anyone could reliably identify is that they were paid. By whom and why was open to interpretation depending on what conclusion the commentators wanted to draw. Iranian media interpreted the attendance as US support for terrorism. Western media was more analytical, though it came to the same conclusion – support for the MEK is designed to create division and hatred in lieu of actual war. Experts in the MEK, such as Anne Khodabandeh in the UK reminded us that the MEK rallies are not new, are paid for by Iran’s enemies and yet, after three decades have become more and more irrelevant. Best ignored since they serve no real purpose except self-publicity for Maryam Rajavi, who has proved herself year after year as incompetent as a leader.
++ A petition asking for leading members of the MEK to be put on trial in various International Courts has reached over 10,000 signatures. This began when 42 former MEK members brought a case against the MEK leaders in Iran. In March, Iran’s judiciary examined the evidence and found in their favour. They sent their judgement to the European countries where the MEK leaders are based, with a view to having them investigated. Since no such justice appears to be forthcoming for the victims, the petition was created by Nejat Society.
Mujahedin-Khalq And al-Ahwaz Terrorists – Iran Interlink Weekly Digest – Jul 23, 2021
Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan
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Concern over UK-based Iranian TV channel’s links to Saudi Arabia
The Guardian, November 01 2018:… Earlier this summer, the station was criticised for airing extensive live coverage of a rally by the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), a cult-like organisationthat espouses regime change and has links to Saudi Arabia. Senior Trump administration officials, including John Bolton, are advocates of the group, which was listed as a terrorist group in the US until 2012. The insider claimed the editorial content of …
Ofcom investigates TV network over interview praising attack in Iran
US, MEK and Ahwazi Coordination
Concern over UK-based Iranian TV channel’s links to Saudi Arabia
Exclusive: Iran International funded by firm with ties to Prince Mohammed bin Salman
A source claims Prince Mohammed was the force behind Iran International. Photograph: Amr Nabil/AP
A UK-based Iranian TV station is being funded through a secretive offshore entity and a company whose director is a Saudi Arabian businessman with close links to the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Guardian can reveal.
The disclosures are likely to raise concerns about the editorial independence of Iran International, and comes at a time of growing fears about a number of Saudi-linked stations operating across London.
A source has told the Guardian that Prince Mohammed, who many believe is responsible for the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, is the force behind Iran International. The station, which is operating out of Chiswick, has not denied claims that it receives its funding from the Saudi royal court.
Iran International TV emerged abruptly on the London media scene last year; many of the 100-strong staff network were offered generous salaries, often double what rivals paid, but was elusive about its source of funding.
Millions of Iranians frustrated with a state broadcaster hobbled by censorship watch satellite channels via illegal rooftop dishes. London has become a hub of such exiled Iranian channels, which also include BBC’s Persian service and Manoto TV, which has broadcast Iranian versions of The X Factor and Come Dine With Me.
The source claimed Saud al-Qahtani, the crown prince’s information tsar, who was among two senior officials removed in connection with theKhashoggi affair, was involved in the funding behind Iran International TV.
“You could have a larger picture about how those kids [Saudi media moguls] with that money being thrown around [by Prince Mohammed] trying to change the world by buying media … It is money coming from the royal court,” the source said, when speaking about the crown prince..
Iran International said any suggestions that the network was involved in some type of wrongdoing, or was subject to inappropriate influences or was not editorially independent were without foundation.
While Saudi Arabia shows zero tolerance for criticism of its absolute monarchy, as underlined by Khashoggi’s murder, it is setting up media organisations in other languages promoting free speech, particularly about Iran.
Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi, a postdoctoral research fellow in modern Iranian history at the University of Oxford, said: “While there is little doubt that the heavy hand of the Iranian state has its fair share of responsibility for this state of affairs and the lack of public trust in the state broadcaster, it appears that Iran International is part and parcel of the Saudi crown prince’s decision to take a more aggressive posture against Iran, emboldened, no doubt, by the Trump administration.”
Employing a wide range of people in the Iranian diaspora, including human rights activists, Iran International has not disclosed any Saudi Arabian funding links to its staff of many Iranian nationals, potentially putting their families in Iran at risk.
“I was told that not even one Saudi rial is in the funding. If I knew it came from Saudi, I would not have joined the station,” one insider said. “I can say that Iran International TV has turned into a platform … for ethnic partisanship and sectarianism.”
Earlier this summer, the station was criticised for airing extensive live coverage of a rally by the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), a cult-like organisationthat espouses regime change and has links to Saudi Arabia. Senior Trump administration officials, including John Bolton, are advocates of the group, which was listed as a terrorist group in the US until 2012.
The insider claimed the editorial content of the station had been influenced by its secret investors who were hidden behind an offshore Cayman Islands company. The MEK coverage, the insider said, was one such example.
Ofcom has recently scrutinised Iran International for giving airtime to the spokesperson of a group that praised a terrorist attack in Iran last month.
Volant Media, the company that runs Iran International, has a director named Adel Abdulkarim, who is a Saudi national. He has had a long working relationship with well-connected Saudi executives, some of who have links to the royal court, including Abdulrahman al-Rashed, who sits on the board of Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), the largest publishing company in the Middle East.
Multiple sources claim Rashed, who is the former general manager of the Saudi-owned news channel Al Arabiya, was also involved in the operations and funding behind Iran International.
Nabeel Al-Khatib, a consultant working with Iran International, has been described by its editors to staff as supervisor of the station or representative of the investors. It has been claimed Iran International editors have used Khatib’s Palestinian nationality to remain evasive about the channel’s Saudi funding. The Guardian has seen leaked documents that suggest he raised questions and offered input into Iran International’s coverage of human rights in Saudi Arabia, as well as suggesting certain story ideas, particularly related to Iran and Saudi Arabia. Khatib denied influencing editorial decisions and said he was an independent consultant who offered services to broadcast companies around the world.
Last month, Khatib emerged as Bloomberg Asharq project director in a deal signed between Bloomberg and SRMG.
According to one source, Saudi Arabia gave $250m (£197m) in funding to help the launch of Iran International, which runs no commercial advertising. The source did not give a timeframe, but a scrutiny of its office’s rent and employee salaries points to an initial five-year period – $50m per year. Volant Media lost £26m in 2017, according to accounts filed on 4 October.
One former employee said many staff were stuck between a rock and a hard place. “They have realised they have not been told the truth about the Saudi paymasters behind the station but at the same time they can’t afford to resign or leave their job instantly for fear of incurring repayments under their contracts. Some rely on the television’s visa sponsorship to be able to continue living in London,” the former staff member said.
Gary Sick, who served in the US national security council under the Carter administration, said both Iran and Saudi Arabia were making active use of media in their regional rivalry.
“Iran’s Press TV is full of negative stories about the Saudi leadership, and official (and unofficial) Saudi media portray Iran as the single greatest source of instability and terrorism in the Middle East,” he said.
Rob Beynon, the acting head of the television station, did not deny that funding for it came from the Saudi royal court.
“[Iran International] provides news for all Iranians, in Iran and in the diaspora, reflective of the widest range of opinions. Our output is governed not by any external individuals but by our editorial guidelines, which are published in English and Farsi on our website,” Beynon said.
He added: “It is transparent and impartial, as you can see from our output. The management structure is as you would expect in any news organisation. Decisions are taken by our senior editorial managers, who report to me.”
(End)
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Iran: US masters responsible for today terror attack in Ahvaz. (Joint “al-Ahwaz” and “MEK” terror attack)
Press TV, Mehr News, September 22 2018:… Zarif noted that children and journalists are among casualties. According to reports, the death toll has risen to 11, and over 30 people, including women and children, have been injured. The Iranian top diplomat further added that “Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable for such attacks.” He stressed that “Iran will respond swiftly and decisively in defense of Iranian lives.” …
Terrorists were from “al-Ahwaz Arab People’s Democratic Front” based in London and “Peoples Mojahedin Khalq Organisation” based in Albania
The MEK’s dirty past includes the anti-Imperialist inspired murder of six Americans in pre-revolution Iran which it later celebrated in songs and publications
1- FM Zarif: Regional terror sponsors, US masters responsible for Ahvaz attack
Mehr News,
Link to the source
TEHRAN, Sep. 22 (MNA) – Foreign Minister Zarif said Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable for the Sat. terrorist attack on a military parade in Ahvaz.
In a tweet posted a few hours after a terrorist attack on a military parade in southwest city of Ahvaz, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the terrorists were “recruited, trained, armed and paid by a foreign regime.”
Zarif noted that children and journalists are among casualties. According to reports, the death toll has risen to 11, and over 30 people, including women and children, have been injured.
The Iranian top diplomat further added that “Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable for such attacks.”
He stressed that “Iran will respond swiftly and decisively in defense of Iranian lives.”
The ‘Al-Ahwaz’ separatist group has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack.
MS/4408738
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2- Death toll rises to 29 at Ahvaz military parade terror attack
Mehr News
Link to the source
TEHRAN, Sep. 22 (MNA) – According to the latest reports, death toll has risen to 29, with over 50 injured, in a terrorist attack carried out by armed assailants at a military parade in southwest city of Ahvaz.
Mojtaba Zonnour, a member of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, told Tehran-based al-Alam News Network that the number of the martyred of a Sat. terrorist attack at a military parade in Ahvaz has risen to 29, with 57 injured, including women and children.
The death toll is feared to rise due to the severity of the injuries.
The attack has reportedly been carried out from outside of the parade perimeters, from a park overlooking the observation platform.
Officials present at the stand, including the governor general of Khuzestan and governor of Ahvaz, are reported to be unharmed.
Early reports indicate that at least eight armed forces personnel, as well as the bodyguard of Khuzestan’s IRGC commander, have been martyred in the attack. A journalist has also been said to be among the casualties.
According to the senior spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, the attack was carried out by four terrorists, three of whom killed and the other arrested by security forces and the police.
IRGC spokesman told ISNA correspondent that the armed assailants who opened fire at people and armed forces personnel present at the parade were affiliated with the ‘Al-Ahwaz’ separatist group. He added that the group is ideologically fed by Saudi Arabia, noting that the attack aimed at undermining the massive scale of the armed forces parade. He said that civilians had also been invited to watch the parade, and the gunmen had opened fire both at them and the military personnel.
While the ‘Al-Ahwaz’ separatist group had earlier claimed responsibility for the attack, ISIL terrorist group later claimed responsibility in a message published on their news outlet.
Iran is conducting nationwide military parades to mark the beginning of the Sacred Defense Week.
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3- Several casualties in terror attack on military parade in Ahvaz
Press TV
Link to the source
The death toll from a terrorist attack on a military parade in Iran’s southern city of Ahvaz has risen to 25, local officials say.
Deputy Governor of Khuzestan Province Ali Hossein Hosseinzadeh also said 60 people had been injured in the Saturday terrorist attack.
Gunmen opened fire on people from behind a viewing stand at Qods Boulevard of Ahvaz during the morning parade held to mark the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Iran in the 1980s.
“Individuals disguised in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and Basij uniforms fired at officials and people from behind the stand, leaving a number of innocent people including women and children martyred or injured,” Governor of Khuzestan Province Gholamreza Shariati said.
The attackers began firing at spectators from a park as the parade got underway, trying to force their way into the stand but were confronted by security forces.
“Despite the intensity of the attack on the stand of the officials, none of them was hurt thanks to the rapid reaction of the security forces, Shariati said.
The terrorist team behind the attack was dismantled, he said, adding the situation is now under the control of security forces and police and calm has returned to the region.
“According to preliminary reports, four attackers were involved, two of whom were killed and two arrested, one of them injured,” Shariati said.
Iranian security forces kill two assailants behind #Ahvaz terrorist attack#IranMilitaryParade pic.twitter.com/T75ujiElDF
— Press TV (@PressTV) September 22, 2018
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesman Ramezan Sharif said the attackers were affiliated to a terrorist group supported by Saudi Arabia.
“The individuals who fired at the people and the armed forces during the parade are connected to the al-Ahvaziya group which is fed by Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Sharif said the shooting is not unprecedented and the group which is also supported by the UK has attacked convoys of those visiting the former frontlines in Saddam’s war on Iran in recent years.
UPDATE
Live video captures the moment of #Ahvaz terrorist shooting https://t.co/qKmmEkyclu#IranMilitaryParade pic.twitter.com/KmpfvnbOGx— Press TV (@PressTV) September 22, 2018
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4- Putin slams act of terror during Iranian military parade, says ready to boost fight against terrorism
Press TV
Link to the source
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his “deepest condolences” to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani after a terrorist attack on an army parade in southwestern Iran left multiple people killed and wounded, denouncing the “bloody crime” and calling for an “uncompromising” joint combat against terrorism in all of its forms and “manifestations.”
The Russian leader made the comments in a message sent to his Iranian counterpart on Saturday, a few hours after four gunmen, disguised in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Basij uniforms, opened fire on people from behind a viewing stand at Quds Boulevard in the city of Ahvaz during the parade held to mark the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Iran in the 1980s.
Deputy Governor of Khuzestan Province Ali Hossein Hosseinzadeh told Iran’s Mehr News Agency that the death toll had rose to 25 from an initial figure of 10. He added that at least 60 other people had sustained injury. A four-year-old boy was also among those who had received fatal wounds.
Three of the terrorists were shot dead at the scene while a fourth was arrested and later succumbed to his wounds, armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said.
“Please accept the deepest condolences regarding the tragic consequences of the raid by terrorists in Ahvaz. We are appalled by this bloody crime,” said Putin in his message, a copy of which was posted on the Kremlin website.
“We expect that everyone involved will face a deserved punishment. This event once again reminds us about the necessity of an uncompromising battle against terrorism in all of its manifestations. I would like to confirm our readiness to continue building cooperation with Iranian partners in resisting this evil,” the Russian leader added.
Putin also extended his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved and wished speedy recovery to the wounded.
The Saudi-backed al-Ahvaziya terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) only used the word “attack” for the act of terror.
Similarly, Reuters and others described the incident as an “attack” instead of a terrorist one, whereas they have been quick to use “terrorist attack” for similar incidents that have taken place in Europe over the past few years.
Meanwhile, the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack but provided no evidence for the claim.
Syria denounces Ahvaz terror attack
In the wake of the bloodshed in the Iranian city, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, vehemently condemning the act of terror and stressing that terrorists and those supporting them in the region would not be able to achieve their goals through such crimes.
An unnamed official source from the ministry further told Syria’s official SANA news agency that Damascus had expressed its “full sympathy” to and “solidarity” with Iran, reaffirming that those behind “such sordid crimes” were doomed to fail.
The official also offered the Syrian government’s “warmest condolences” to the Iranian leadership, government and people as well as families of the victims, wishing quick recovery to the wounded.
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5- Iran vows ‘swift, decisive’ response to terror attack
Press TV
Link to the source
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran will respond “swiftly and decisively” in defense of its people, shortly after a terror attack claimed at least 25 lives in southern Iran.
“Terrorists recruited, trained, armed, and paid by a foreign regime have attacked Ahvaz. Children and journos [are] among casualties,” Zarif tweeted on Saturday.
Terrorists recruited, trained, armed & paid by a foreign regime have attacked Ahvaz. Children and journos among casualties. Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable for such attacks. Iran will respond swiftly and decisively in defense of Iranian lives. pic.twitter.com/WG1J1wgVD9
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 22, 2018
Iran holds “regional terror sponsors” and their “US masters” responsible for the attack, he said.
At least 25 people were killed and 60 others injured when gunmen opened fire on people from behind a viewing stand at Qods Boulevard of Ahvaz during the morning parade held to mark the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Iran in the 1980s.
“Individuals disguised in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and Basij uniforms fired at officials and people from behind the stand, leaving a number of innocent people including women and children martyred or injured,” Governor of Khuzestan Province Gholamreza Shariati said.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesman Ramezan Sharif said the attackers were affiliated to a terrorist group supported by Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, the IRGC’s former top naval commander and the Corps’ current deputy coordinator, also reacted to the attack.
“This issue (the terrorist attack in Ahvaz) is not indicative of strength and power, but shows lowliness,” he said. He called the massacre a “sequel to the actions in Syria and Iraq by [the Takfiri terror group of] Daesh, which martyrs innocent people, who are neither in a defensive position nor in a military one.”
“We took down the grand design and the intrigue that was called Daesh,” he added, saying the enemy has a hard time accepting this.
Fadavi was referring to Iran’s support for Syria and Iraq in their battle against the terrorists, who were defeated by the Arab countries late last year.
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6- Reactions to attack: How West sees it differently
Press TV
Link to the source
The Western and Saudi media have refrained from terming the deadly attack in the Iranian city of Ahvaz a terrorist act despite the large number of civilian casualties in the incident.
At least 25 people were killed and 60 others injured in Ahvaz on Saturday, when terrorists opened fire on people from behind a viewing stand at a military parade held to mark the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Iran in the 1980s.
The Saudi-backed al-Ahvaziya terror group claimed responsibility for the assault.
However, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) only used the word “attack” for the terrorist act.
Similarly, Reuters and others described the incident as an “attack” instead of a terror one whereas they have been quick to use “terrorist attack” for similar incidents that took place in Europe over the past few years.
Russia offers condolences
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered condolences to his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, after the brutal attack.
He also expressed Moscow’s readiness to boost joint efforts with Tehran in the fight against terrorism.
“This incident once again reminds us about the need to conduct an uncompromising war on terror in all its manifestations. I would like to confirm our readiness to further enhance cooperation with Iranian partners in countering this evil,” the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying.
Iraq deplores attack
Iraqi Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji condemned the incident, saying it once again demonstrated the hostility of terrorists and arrogant elements towards the Muslim nation of Iran.
He further stressed that such actions could not undermine the authority of the Iranian nation.
(End)
Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan
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Iran: MKO, Saudi behind terror attacks – Saudi Minister Refuses to Condemn Tehran Shootings
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“Tehran Times” and “Iran International” (Saudi outlet from London), July 26 2020:… London-based TV channel was strongly criticized for its live coverage of a gathering of the MEK (Mujahedin-e Khalq) terrorist group, which is also known as “Monafeqin” (hypocrites) in Iran. “Unfortunately, we saw in recent days that one of the satellite channels named Iran International, which is broadcast by… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Gareth Porter, Iranian.com, May 01 2020:… In 2013, however, a former senior German Foreign Office official named Karsten Voigt revealed to this writer that the documents had been initially provided to German intelligence by a member of the Mujaheddin E-Khalq (MEK). The MEK is an exiled Iranian armed opposition organization that had operated under Saddam Hussein’s regime as a proxy… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Alireza Niknam, Geopolitica, February 27 2020:… MEK which was in the list of European terrorist organizations until 2009 and in the US list of terrorist organizations until 2012, to the testimony of many experts with the heavy costs of lobbying, and for the benefit of the US interests and their use against Iran, it goes out of the list. The… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Tasnim News December 04 2019:… Dankof: All of the published reports over time indicate that the Saudi-backed terror groups are involved in (Sistan and) Balouchestan Province terrorist operations coming across the Pakistani-Iranian border. In Khuzestan Province, where unofficial reports indicate Iran has discovered a new potential deposit of oil in southwestern Iran, both groups and the nefarious Muhajedeen-e-Khalq (MEK-MKO) are… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Alice Taylor, The Balkanista, September 17 2019:… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan It was then, as I looked around I noticed that there were no other journalists present as I could not see any TV crews, no other people with press cards, no journalists I recognised, and I realised I hadn’t seen any media vans or cars in the car park. There was only the… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Tehran Times and Tasnim News, Tehran, August 29 2019:… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan Rouhani visit took place on Government Week. It commemorates the late President Mohammad Ali Rajaei and Prime Minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar along with other government officials who lost their lives in a terrorist bombing by MKO (also called MEK) in Tehran on August 30, 1981. Larijani also warned against the enemy’s… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Professor Tim Anderson, Balkans Post, August 19 2019:… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan Yes it is quite possible that Albania will de destabilized by U.S. proxies the MEK, and also by DAESH members. Between 2013 and 2016 Washington moved the 2,900 Camp Ashraf MEK members to Albania, where they had also moved some former DAESH/ISIS fighters (Spahiu 2018; Khodabandeh and Khodabandeh 2018). The U.S. and… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Jonathan Harounoff, Haaretz, August 11 2019:… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan Massoud Khodabandeh, tells Haaretz in an email interview that the group was no longer the highly organized and influential student-led movement of the ’70s that opposed the shah. By the ’80s, Khodabandeh says, the MEK had evolved almost unrecognizably into a violent, anti-ayatollah and pro-Saddam guerrilla organization that had no clear objectives other than… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Catherine Shakdam, Citizen truth, August 03 2019:… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan In an interview for Al Bawaba in 2018 Masoud Khodabandeh, a former high-ranking MKO/MEK official, shed light on Saudi Arabia’s financial support for the group, explaining how Riyadh regime has funneled, gold bars, cash and other valuables worth hundreds of millions of dollars through various third parties. Among other revelations, Khodabandeh described how after the… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Mehr News and Tehran Times, July 30 2019:… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan The link became more overt after U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office in 2017. Trump’s associates, including his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and his national security advisor John Bolton, have attended the MEK’s meetings and praised the cult group as “democratic alternative” to the Islamic Republic. US-backed Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) terror group… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Ted Snider , Counter Punch, July 29 2019:… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan Two senior officials in the Obama administration revealed to NBC news that the assassinations were carried out by the MEK. They also confirm that the MEK was being financed, armed and trained by the Israeli Mossad and that the assassinations were carried out with the awareness of the United States. The State,… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands
Alex MacDonald, Middle East Eye, London, July 28 2019:… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan The most important of these facts is that the MEK is a cult which keeps its members in Albania in conditions of modern slavery. If the MEK’s supporters want to believe that after not being paid for three decades, they are just ‘volunteers’, then there is not much else they won’t… Armed Mujahedin-Khalq In Khuzestan derailed Legitimate demands