Iranian military and security forces have intensified efforts to prevent Newroz (Kurdish New Year on 21 March) celebrations in Kurdish cities, setting up checkpoints and deploying heavily armed units in several locations, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) reported.

According to the report, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces today set up checkpoints on the roads leading to the villages of Kani Sorkh and Sengan in Oshnavieh, using vehicles equipped with DShK heavy machine guns, stopping and searching civilian vehicles and interrogating passengers.

Meanwhile, IRGC patrols moved through the streets of Oshnavieh in an apparent attempt to create an atmosphere of fear and deter public gatherings.

Similar measures were reported in Bukan, where IRGC forces stationed along the road to Nowbar village prevented civilians from travelling to Mount Targheh for Newroz celebrations.

Additionally, Kurdish activists and civilians in both Oshnavieh and Bukan were summoned by the Intelligence Organisation of the IRGC and the Ministry of Intelligence, where they were warned against organising any non-state-sanctioned celebrations.

In Kermanshah, security services and police exerted pressure and issued threats against organisers of Newroz events in the Darreh Direj neighbourhood in an attempt to prevent the celebrations from taking place.

Despite the heavy presence of law enforcement and security agents, the celebrations continued in the area from midday.

Meanwhile, in Saqqez, Kurdistan Province, Newroz celebrations were held in several parts of the city.

Earlier, Seyyed Sadegh Hosseini, the IRGC commander in Ilam Province, warned Kurdish civilians against celebrating Newroz, saying: “No institution has the authority to issue permits for Newroz celebrations, and we must take a coordinated approach to events that are not in line with our culture.”

He added: “Community elders and believers should ensure that the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan is respected, and anything that contradicts our principles, laws and values must not take place. Identifying the leaders and those active in cyberspace and real-world gatherings is a top priority”.

Despite these pressures, the Newroz celebrations in the city of Malekshahi, Ilam Province, were successfully held on 14 March, with large crowds in attendance.