Iran announces arrest of 40 citizens in Al-Salihiya city
Iranian forces carried out a large-scale security campaign in the city of Al-Salihiya, north of Ahwaz, resulting in the arrest of 40 Ahwazi citizens including 25 previously wanted individuals and 15 others accused of “theft” as part of what Iranian authorities call the “Community Security Plan.”
The commander of what is known as the “Iranian police in Al-Salihiya,” Shamsollah Mousavi, stated that the operation was part of the “local security campaign” and led to the “discovery of 31 theft cases,” as well as the confiscation of light weapons and several motorcycles and cars, according to his claims.
However, Ahwazi activists confirmed that such campaigns are often used as a pretext to suppress Ahwazi youth and arrest political opponents, especially amid rising tensions in northern Ahwaz in recent months.
They noted that Iran frequently fabricates charges of “theft” or “disturbing public order” to justify mass arrests.
This campaign comes amid escalating security crackdowns against residents in Ahwazi cities, where repeated raids target dozens of innocent people under the pretext of “pursuing criminals,” while Iranian authorities ignore the worsening economic crises and high unemployment rates among the Ahwazi population.
Human rights reports affirm that such actions fall within a broader policy of intimidation and restriction aimed at the Ahwazi community, intended to crush any civic or national movement demanding the rights of the Arab people in occupied Ahwaz.
