Malekshahi; State-killing of Reza Azimzadeh and Mehdi Emamipour in Result of IRGC Fire Confirmed
January 4, 2026; during the popular protests in Malekshahi county in Ilam province, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces used "Kalashnikov" military weapons to open direct fire on protesters. As a result of these shootings, dozens were wounded; the state-killing of two of them named "Reza Azimzadeh" and "Mehdi Emamipour" has been confirmed for Kurdpa due to the severity of their injuries.
According to information verified by Kurdpa, these two Kurdish citizens lost their lives hours after being transferred to medical centers due to the severity of the injuries sustained. "Reza Azimzadeh", son of Jabbar, was single, and "Mehdi Emamipour", son of Heidar, was also single. On the funeral notice of these two Kurdish youths, the phrase "For what sin?" is inscribed, and their memorial service is scheduled to be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Kurdpa had previously reported the wounding of at least 30 people during these protests. The injured were transferred to Malekshahi medical centers, including the "Shaheed Dr. Fattahi Emergency" and "Imam Khomeini Hospital". Due to the high number of wounded, blood shortages, lack of medical facilities, and the critical condition of several injured individuals, some were transferred to "Imam Khomeini" Hospital in the center of Ilam province.
The identities of several wounded individuals, including "Mohammad Barooneh (Moghaddasi)", "Fareez (Mohsen) Aghamohammadi", "Mostafa Aghamohammadi", and "Ali Karimi (Bavelki)", have been established by Kurdpa. The condition of some of these individuals is reported to be very critical. According to Kurdpa's information, "Fareez (Mohsen) Aghamohammadi" is hospitalized in the intensive care unit of Ilam Hospital with a consciousness level of 3 due to a gunshot wound to the head. Additionally, "Mostafa Aghamohammadi" has undergone surgery once and requires a second operation if the severe bleeding continues. Fareez and Mostafa Aghamohammadi are brothers.
What happened in Malekshahi?
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, a group of protesting citizens of Malekshahi, joining the wave of protests and nationwide strikes formed in response to the dire livelihood situation since early January in Iran, began their protests from the Governorship (Farmandari) Boulevard of this city. This gathering took place while protesters were present in the streets peacefully.
Verified images and videos released by Kurdpa show that protesters emphasized the collective and peaceful nature of the protests by chanting slogans such as "Death to the Dictator", "Death to Khamenei", and "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together".
According to Kurdpa's information, as the protesters were passing in front of the Basij Resistance building, IRGC forces stationed at high points and rooftops used "Kalashnikov" military weapons to open direct and purposeful fire toward the crowd. In the verified videos, the sound of continuous shooting is heard in the streets, and scenes of protesters being wounded are clearly visible.
As a result of these shootings, at least 30 people were wounded. Initial reports and local eyewitness testimonies indicate that this suppression was carried out with very high intensity, and from the early hours, concerns regarding the death of some protesters were raised; a matter that was eventually clarified with the confirmation of the state-killing of two of the injured.
Following the shooting by IRGC forces and the wounding of dozens of protesters, and after the transfer of the injured to hospitals in Malekshahi and Ilam, public appeals were published regarding a severe shortage of blood and specialist doctors.
Nevertheless, in the continuation of this state suppression, after the wounded were transferred to "Imam Khomeini" Hospital in Ilam, security and repressive forces, including the Special Unit, besieged this hospital with the aim of arresting the injured. Images and received videos verified by Kurdpa show that security forces even fired inside the hospital premises.
In these images, the first video records the shooting at people inside the hospital, and the second and third videos, recorded previously, show the siege of the hospital by repressive forces; where citizens have gathered to protect the wounded and are declaring their opposition to these actions by chanting the slogan "Death to Khamenei". Furthermore, due to the hospital siege and the shooting by security forces, the process of blood transfer and medical care has faced serious disruption.
Local sources have also reported that the situation in the city of Malekshahi has become highly militarized, and the extensive presence of Special Unit forces and other repressive forces on the routes leading to the hospital remains prominent; such that this medical center is effectively under siege and full surveillance. According to these reports, repressive forces have attempted to enter the hospital several times to arrest the injured, but these attempts have been met with resistance from the public and hospital staff.
