Kurdistan; 58 Kurdish Kolbars Killed and Injured in Two Weeks (3 Killed and 55 Injured)

The direct shooting of government forces at Kolbars in the border areas of Kurdistan has witnessed a significant increase in recent weeks. In the past two weeks alone, 58 Kurdish Kolbars have been killed and injured in the border areas of Kurdistan.

In a detailed disaggregated statistical data, Kurdpa has attempted to address the rising numbers of wounded and killed Kolbars by the forces of the Islamic Republic, focusing on the statistics of Kolbar killings in border areas, especially in the last two weeks, and exploring the reasons for the increase in these figures.

During the past two weeks (November 2 to November 15, 2023), a total of 58 Kolbars in Kurdistan have been killed and injured (3 killed and 55 injured).

Out of the total, 54 individuals were shot with military gunfire and pellets, 3 were killed and wounded by the beating and injuries inflicted by government forces, and 1 was killed and injured due to a mine explosion.

The border areas of Baneh and Nowsud accounted for 52% and 47%, respectively.

Three of the injured Kolbars were under the age of 18.

Azad Setarehpanah from Saqqez, Yadegar Rahimi from Baneh, and Jalal Heydarian from Divandarreh were among the Kolbars killed by military gunfire at the Hangazhall border in Baneh.

A statistical overview of the killed and injured Kolbars in September and November 2023:

In September, a total of 15 Kolbars were killed and injured (2 killed and 13 injured).

In October, a total of 39 Kolbars were killed and injured (2 killed and 37 injured).

In the first 75 days since the beginning of September 2023, a total of 112 Kurdish Kolbars have been killed and injured (7 killed and 105 injured).

One of the main reasons for the high number of Kolbar killings in the border areas of Nowsud and Baneh is the closure of most border points in the cities. Kurdpa had previously addressed the reasons for the high number of killed and injured Kolbars in the Nowsud and Baneh border areas.

On the other hand, approaching the winter season and the increase in unemployment, especially the reduction of labor and other jobs for the lower classes of society, forces citizens to engage in Kolbari more than ever before the onset of the cold season.

According to the recorded statistics at the Human Rights Organization Kurdpa, in the past 12 years (2011-2023), a total of 1956 Kurdish Kolbars have been killed and injured in Kurdistan, Iran (599 killed and 1362 injured).

According to the same statistics, 36 of the killed and injured Kolbars were under the age of 18.

Moreover, 77% of these Kolbars were killed and injured by direct gunfire from the military forces of the Islamic Republic.

Deaths and injuries due to falling from heights account for 7% and rank second.

Deaths and injuries due to mine explosions and freezing each account for 5% and rank third.

Compiled by: Ewin Mostafazadeh