Oshnavieh; Deployment of Checkpoints and Use of Mosques and Schools for Transporting Military Forces and Equipment

March 27, 2026 – On the Twenty-eight day of the military conflict between Israel-USA and the Islamic Republic of Iran, reports received from the city of Oshnavieh in the province of West Azerbaijan indicate an intensification of the presence of military forces and the extensive use of public places for the stationing and movement of military personnel and equipment.

According to these reports, the forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are using schools and mosques within the city and surrounding areas as temporary bases. An informed source told “Kurdpa” that the boarding school of “Kani Sepi”, the school of “Mam Tamar”, the school of “Kowsar”, and the boarding school of “Aliabad” are among the locations where IRGC forces, along with military equipment, have been stationed. This source adds that the movement of forces to these centers continues, and they are often stationed in these places during the night.

It has also been reported that in other locations, including a software and computer center belonging to the IRGC, military forces have been present and have turned these sites into their deployment bases. Furthermore, the mosque of “Imam Jafar Sadiq”, which is primarily used by Shia citizens, has been utilized as another base for the deployment of military forces.

On the other hand, the sports hall of “Kani Sepi” has been placed exclusively at the disposal of the IRGC forces, and a significant portion of military equipment is being kept there.

Meanwhile, the establishment of checkpoints on communication routes, especially on the road from the city of Oshnavieh to the city of Piranshahr, has increased. These checkpoints, by controlling the movement of citizens, have created an intense security and military atmosphere in the region; a situation that, according to local sources, prevails not only inside the city of Oshnavieh but also in the surrounding villages.

In addition, over the past few days, government-affiliated Telegram channels, quoting the governorate of the city of Oshnavieh, have announced that “by order of the governorate, any movement in the mountainous areas of this city and the gathering of spring plants is prohibited until further notice.” These restrictions have added to the concerns of the region's residents regarding the intensification of the security atmosphere.

It should be noted that the boarding school of “Kani Sepi” and the sports hall of “Kani Sepi” are located in the region of “Dasht-e Bil” in the city of Oshnavieh.

The Kurdpa Human Rights Organisation emphasizes that these actions are a clear violation of international rules. The instances of these violations include:

Violation of the Principle of Distinction: According to Article 48 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, parties to a conflict must at all times distinguish between the civilian population and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives. The deployment of forces in mosques, sports halls, and government offices turns these locations into a “lawful military target” and endangers the lives of civilians.

Use of Human Shields: According to Article 28 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 12 of the First Protocol, the use of the presence of civilians to render certain points or areas immune from military operations (deployment in high-traffic public places) is strictly prohibited. This action by the state is a clear example of using citizens as human shields to protect mid-level military cadres and equipment.

Violation of the Immunity of Medical Centers: Hospitals and religious units have special protection under Article 19 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Turning the “Salahaddin Ayoubi” Hospital into a military base and expelling the medical staff not only denies access to the right to health but also signifies the revocation of the immunity of this medical center during hostilities.

Violation of the Right to Life and the Physical Security of Prisoners: The secret transfer of prisoners under conditions of internet disconnection and the lack of notification to families is a violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This “short-term disappearance” and the creation of an information vacuum increase the risk of torture and inhuman treatment, placing direct responsibility for the lives of these individuals on the government.