Iraq's prime minister with Iran-backed PMF during Ashura

Following success at the Battle of Baiji, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (R2) observed Day of Ashura with participating Iran-backed Popular Mobilzation Forces members, including Iran-backed Badr President Hadi Al-Amiri (L3) and Iran-backed PMF Director Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (L4)

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi among Iran-backed PMF leaders during Day of Ashura, following success at Battle of Baiji.

Among audience of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Iran-backed PMF leaders, members of PMF following success at Battle of Baiji.

Shia Pilgrims Killed in Baghdad on Eve of Ashura

Multiple bomb explosions on Monday have killed at least 34 Shia pilgrims participating in Tasua commemoration marches in Baghdad. Tasua marks the day Shia Imam Hossein was wounded in the battle of Karbala against Umayyad Caliph Yazid in 680 A.D., and died a day later, on Ashura, the tenth day, of Muharram. For Shias, Hossein has become the symbol of martyrdom and Tasua and Ashura are commemorated to highlight Shia courage and resistance against the enemy.

Photo credit: Shia mourners commemorating the eve of Ashura; Tehran, 3 November 2014 (IRNA)

Bombings in Baghdad Ahead of Ashura

Bombings in Baghdad have killed at least 24 people, on the eve of Tasua and Ashura, among the holiest days in Shia calendar. In the deadliest of Saturday’s attacks, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive-rigged truck at the checkpoint leading to predominantly Shia neighborhood in south Baghdad, killing 20 people and injuring more than 50.

Pilgrims are taking part in Tasua and Ashura commemorations, which mark the wounding and death of Imam Hossein, one of the most revered figures and the symbol of martyrdom in Shia Islam. This year, the Tasua and Ashura fall on Monday and Tuesday of this week respectively.

Photo credit: Iraqi Shia flagellate themselves in grief during preparation for the commemoration of Tasua and Ashura. (AAP)

Iran Rejects Resignation of Its Diplomat in Norway

Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Monday that he has not accepted the resignation of Mohammad Reza Heydari, Iran’s consul in Norway. Heydari resigned on 7 January in protest at Tehran’s violent suppression of opposition demonstrations during Ashura (27 December).

Mottaki demanded Heydari’s return to Tehran. The Iranian embassy in Oslo and the Iranian foreign ministry in Tehran had until now denied that one of their diplomats had resigned in protest.

Heydari said on Monday in Oslo that he would not return to Iran for fear of repercussions.

"Returning to Tehran would be putting my life and my family's at risk," he said. The diplomat, a married father of two whose family lives with him in Norway, has been stationed in Oslo for just over two years.

"I have worked with Mr. Mottaki and have respect for him. But my message to him is clear: he has to look around him and become aware of what is happening. He has to resign and fight alongside his people, not against his people," Heydari added.

Law Enforcement on Ashura 1388 - Video & Image Analysis

by Mark Pyruz

The Islamic Republic of Iran Police Force (IRIPF, also referred to as NAJA) appeared hard pressed and even overwhelmed at times, during anti-government demonstrations held during Ashura. There were incidents reporting varying levels of protest around the country, including Tehran, Shiraz, Esfahan and Mashad. However, by far the greatest confrontations took place in Tehran, and that's where nearly all the photo and video evidence has been sourced (with most of the documented action located at Vali Asr Square, Azadi Avenue and under Hafez Bridge).

At times, protesters in Tehran showed exceptionally high levels of resistance to IRIPF attempts at imposing law and order. There are a number of photos and videos showing large groups of protesters seizing the initiative, and in a number of instances taking full control of key road and city centers. There are also photos and videos showing police officers beaten by angry mobs, police equipment captured, vehicles wrecked and set ablaze, and even at least one IRIPF police station and one Basij base stormed, looted and set ablaze. Protesters engaged in opportunistic destruction of public property, while elements of the IRIPF- including its motorized SF- were at times overwhelmed and rendered ineffective.

For all the protest violence and lack of effective IRIPF control over key areas of the city, it is surprising that Iran's military wasn't activated. Instead, the IRIPF (and Basij) were left to duke it out with an ever more radicalized protest movement. In fact, while the anti-establishment movement of June 2009 may have had far greater numbers, nevertheless this comparatively smaller anti-government protest (seemingly composed predominantly of students or those of similar age) is certainly willing to take increasingly more violent and destructive measures. It does so while the IRIPF has apparently (unlike in June) been ordered to confront the protesters with less-lethal means of crowd control (no standard outfitting of firearms equipped with lethal rounds).

IRIPF anti-riot management appears to rely on preplanned defensive positions, adapting to changing conditions with radio communication and applications of motorized (motorbike) reconnaissance. Despite possession of airborne police support, it doesn’t appear the IRIPF engages in sustained air-to-ground assisted tactical management.

Politically, so far the IRIPF seems to be the public face for the government’s anti-riot response during Ashura. Iran's Deputy Police Chief Ahmad Reza Radan appeared on IRINN television, to inform the Iranian public that 300 protesters had been arrested and there were several killed. Meanwhile, contrary to one of the many wild rumors propagated over Twitter of high ranking members of the government being evacuated to safety, Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad attended the Ashura ceremony at Tehran's Hosseiniyeh Imam Khomeini, seemingly unaffected at all by the disturbances occuring at other parts of the city. The Iranian leadership’s strategy appears to consciously downplay the unrest. This would explain the government’s refrain from activating the military or even declaring full or even partial martial law. Instead, it appears the IRIPF is burdened with less-lethal force (in instances where even US law enforcement would use lethal means of defending itself), in confrontations that stretch its summoned resources beyond the maximum. The other side of the government's anti-protest strategy appears to be the targeted arrest of anyone perceived capable of providing any aspect of leadership to this so far leaderless movement, or anyone suspected of being able to provide linkage to identified internal and external threats.

Videos from Ashura 1388:


Incredible video of protesters engaging police forces with rocks; then on a signal from a spontaneous leader, the mob surges forward to engage the police at close quarters.


IRIPF/SF motorized detachment, contained and trapped against a doorway by vastly superior numbers. Note how quickly fires are generated, suggesting the use of molotov cocktails, but more likely ignited by the simple use of cigarette lighters.


Another view of the same incident: fully equipped anti-riot policemen cornered, surrounded and (lacking firearms or adequate backup) subjected to stoning and multiple beatings.


IRIPF/SF First Lieutenant (Sotvan Yekom) from the same detachment, beaten and stripped of gear. Demonstrators unsuccessfully attempt to set his field jack on fire.


A bloodied IRIPF anti-riot policeman is escorted away by protesters, while a IRIPF (cadre) First Lieutenant (Sotvan Yekom), with 2-way radio in hand, feebly waves him aside.


Protesters engage a heavily outnumbered IRIPF detachment at a cross street, to be dispersed by what could be shots fired (possibly less-lethal rounds, unfortunately there is constant sound buffeting on the mobile device which produces similar sounding effects). The protesters reassemble, but are then successfully outflanked by motorized IRIPF anti-riot forces approaching from up the street.


Overturned IRIPF vehicle, set afire by demonstrators. Location: Khosh Avenue.


IRIPF police van overturned and set ablaze. There are a number of YouTube videos showing IRIPF vehicles torched and destroyed during Ashura demonstrations in Tehran.

At the end of this video, two IRIPF policemen become separated from their unit and surrounded by violent protesters, to be brutally beaten and bloodied.


IRIPF police station stormed, looted and set ablaze at Vali Asr Square. At the end of the video, a severely wounded and bloodied protester is taken away; purportedly a victim of being run over by a police vehicle.


IRIPF police van surrounded and heavily vandalized. Its officers- lacking firearms and adequate backup- are seized and beaten by the angry mob.


Street melee: IRIPF anti-riot police officers are put on the defensive and swarmed, firing tear gas in retreat.


Yet another IRIPF police vehicle set afire.


Possibly an IRIPF Bell 214 helicopter zooms overhead. It appears to be operating in a transport role, rather than any sustained effort at air-to-ground, emergency management.


IRIPF police van (a type used for transporting arrested suspects) is overturned and set ablaze.


Tehran Fire Department vehicles on emergency call, situated (perhaps immobilized) at the scene of an overturned IRIPF police van.


And yet another view of an IRIPF police van attacked and overturned.


By dusk, apparently the IRIPF had still not gained full control over the city. Note several fires burning at this Tehran intersection.

Photos from Ashura 1388:

Well equipped IRIPF/SF firing a tear gas anti-riot gun, in an attempt to disperse protesters.

Well disciplined platoon of IRIPF conscript-soldiers in a defensive phalanx formation. Note the level of aggression shown by the stone throwing protesters, and the amount of expended debris on the ground.

Another shot of IRIPF conscript-soldiers in a defensive phalanx formation, with IRIPF (cadre) officers looking on. Protesters were seen tearing out slabs of concrete from Tehran's city sidewalks and smashing it to hurl stones at security forces.

Photo of incident depicted in videos 2, 3 and 4. Motorized IRIPF/SF policemen are trapped, forcefully dismounted and surrounded; to be stoned, beaten and their motorbikes set ablaze. They are not equipped with firearms for personal defense.

Another photo of the cornered IRIPF/SF policemen. At right, an un-helmeted and bloodied First Lieutenant (Sotvan Yekom) pleads on behalf of his beleaguered motorized SF detachment. This is the same officer shown in a previous video, subsequently beaten and partially stripped by the enraged mob.

IRIPF conscript-soldiers (most likely 18-20 year olds serving out their mandatory conscription terms) overwhelmed at close quarters by violent protesters; in retreat minus various pieces of their anti-riot equipment.

An abandoned IRIPF utility vehicle stoned and set ablaze by protesters.

And another demolished IRIPF utility vehicle seen burning amidst a crowd of destructive protesters.

IRIPF conscript-soldiers engaged in a contest of stone throwing with protesters on a Tehran street.

Good view of an assembled IRIPF street position, including mixed elements of conscript-soldiers and police regulars, as well as the use of an IRIPF utility vehicle. Protesters' expended stones can be seen everywhere.

Note the protesters' captured anti-riot police helmet, the combusted contents of a metropolitan garbage bin, the use of a makeshift club and the ubiquitous throwing stone.

An IRIPF regular First Lieutenant (Sotvan Yekom) leads a group of conscript-soldiers; engaging protesters in a contest of stone throwing.

A protester attempts to pick up and repel an expending tear gas smoke cartridge.

An IRIPF/SF detachment retreating, in the face of overwhelming numbers of protesters engaged in stone throwing. Note the visible expenditure of stones ssen scattered about the street.

Tehran: 4 Killed, 300 Arrested

Iran’s state-owned TV website confirmed that four people have been killed and around 300 people arrested during today’s anti-government demonstrations in Tehran [IRIB, 27 December]. Tehran’s police chief had earlier denied any killings, telling reporters that his officers were not even carrying weapons. Photos taken today on the streets of Tehran told a different story. Among the dead was the nephew of the opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.

UPDATE: IRNA has revised upward the number of people killed today in Tehran to five.

UPDATE: The death toll during the nationwide protests has risen to 10: five in Tehran, four in Tabriz and one in Shiraz, making it one of the bloodiest days since the post-election uprising began in Iran.

Ashura: Confrontations in Tehran

Tehran. Ashura. December 27, 2009

Kosoof.com & AP photos

Mousavi’s Nephew Killed in Tehran

Ali Habbibi Mousavi shown in a recent photo with Mir Hossein Mousavi

RFE/RL Photo

Parleman News, a news site of Iranian Majlis, and Kalemeh, the site close to opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, are reporting that Mousavi’s nephew, Ali Habbibi Mousavi Khamene, was killed in Tehran during today’s demonstrations. Reports indicate that Mousavi is now at Ibn-e Sina hospital where the body of Ali Mousavi was taken.

Ashura in Tehran

Tehran. 27 December 2009

Photos: kosoof.com

Ashura in Tehran (2)

Tehran. 27 December 2009

AFP Photo

Tehran. 27 December 2009

People Chanting: "Kill, Kill, Whoever Killed My Brother!"

Anti-Government Demonstrations in Tehran

Tehran. Ashura. 27 December 2009

Photos by kosoof.com, mardomak.com and BBC

Thousands of anti-government demonstrators gathered in Central Tehran today, chanting slogans against the leadership of the Islamic Republic. There are reports of four fatalities and shooting by the security forces on the streets of Tehran.

Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported that the “remnants of Mousavi cult” [the opposition] have created havoc in Tehran [IRNA, 27 December].

Commander of the Greater Tehran Police has denied reports that four demonstrators have been killed. Brig. Gen. Rajabzadeh told reporters that police forces were not carrying weapons today. The police chief’s denial came after photos of dead people on the streets of Tehran were widely circulated throughout Internet. The photos also show uniformed security officers shooting their pistols.

News from Iran

The Annapolis Conference dominated the media coverage in Iran. The country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had urged Arab countries to boycott the conference. This week he said Palestinians would see the conference as a “hoax.” He predicted Annapolis to be a “total defeat” for US and Israeli designs to fool Palestinian people. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Bashar Assad of Syria to dissuade them from going to Annapolis. He later angrily criticized participants of Annapolis Conference. Iran’s isolation in the region has never been so overwhelmingly apparent. It could only muster the support of Hamas and Hezbollah, two terrorist organizations heavily financed by Iran, to oppose Annapolis. The Iranian leaders must be surprised to find Iran so isolated in the Arab world, including Syria, on an issue of such importance to them, an issue for which they spent so much political capital.

Annapolis Conference

· Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Arab countries to boycott Annapolis conference; a day before the conference, Khamenie said Annapolis was doomed to failure; Iran’s leader predicted “total defeat” for US and Israel in their new initiative to resolve Palestinian conflic.
· Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Saudi king and said he wished “Saudi Arabia was not listed among the attending states at the Annapolis conference;” Ahmadinejad warned Arab countries against “the plots and tricks by the Zionist enemy;” referring to conference attendees, Ahmadinejad said “Who among them is the representative of the people of Palestine? What gives them the right to go there?” Ahmadinejad added he was “sorry” that some Arab leaders decided to attend Annapolis; he said Annapolis will have no benefits for Palestinians.
· Hamas opened “anti-Annapolis” conference in Gaza; Islamic Jihad, Popular Resistance Committees and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command joint the conference; an Islamic Jihad leader Mohammed Al Hendi said Annapolis conference will promote a false illusion of a Palestinian statehood on 10 percent of the real Palestinian land.
· Hamas and Hezbollah announced they would boycott Annapolis Conference.
· Hamas warned of more attacks on Israel after Annapolis Conference; Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said the period after Annapolis will witness an increase of resistance against Israel.

Iran Nuclear Program

· Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ruled out giving “the slightest concession” in Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West; if they manage to take even a small concession from us, they will later seek other concessions by making threats, Ahmadinejad added.
· Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said he will meet EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in late November; Jalili-Solana meeting was scheduled to break down nuclear impasse; Solana needed to report back to UN Security Council by end November.
· Iran’s Ambassador to Morocco Vahid Ahmadi said causing concerns over Iran's nuclear program are aimed at misleading public opinions about Israeli threats; he added threats to impose additional economic sanctions on Iran as well as attack on the country are unfounded and irrational.
· Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) reported Iran has produced its own fuel pellets and fuel rods for the heavy water reactor in Arak; Fuel Manufacturing Plant in Isfahan is producing the pellets and the rods; the 40-megawatt heavy water nuclear reactor is under construction and it is expected to become operational in mid-2008; Arak is a plutonium-based reactor.
· Russia was poised to ship nuclear fuel to Iran for its Bushehr nuclear reactor; IAEA inspectors arrived in Russia to check the uranium fuel it has produced for Iran's first nuclear power plant; during his trip to Iran last October, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised that Russia would complete the Bushehr plant.

US-Iran Relations

· US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said at a gathering at Whitman Air Force base in Missouri that military action against Iran remains an option if Iran continues to pursue its nuclear program; Whitman is the home to B-2 stealth bombers which would be used on any bombardment of Iran.
· US Navy and UK Royal Navy announced their nuclear attack submarines had staged an anti-submarine warfare exercise in early October in the Arabian Sea; the maneuvers, dubbed Exercise “Sandstone, were to practice detecting, tracking and engaging Iranian submarines.
· Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini denounced US officials' anti-Iran propaganda in Iraq; Hosseini was reacting to published reports on US officials and military commanders implicating Iran of being involved in recent blast in Baghdad bazaar; Iran rejected those charges.
· US and Iran agreed to hold their 4th round of talks on Iraqi security in the coming weeks.

Leading Domestic Storylines

· Iran’s influential daily Jomhouri Islami in its lead editorial described state of Iranian politics as “chaotic;” Jomhouri Islami accused President Ahmadinejad of behaving illegally towards government’s critics; It is unbecoming a law-abiding country to allow a person in whatever capacity to act as plaintiff, judge and executor, the editorial said; spreading propaganda and auctioning the reputations of adversaries has displaced the rule of law in our nation, the paper added; Jomhouri Islami is believed to having close ties to the country’s supreme leader.
· An Iranian court acquitted former nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian of spying and treason charges; Mousavian was convicted of a lesser charge of propagating against the ruling system; Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had called Moussavian a spy and all critics of his nuclear policy “traitors.”
· Iran’s highest court ordered a new investigation into the death of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi; Kazemi died while detained in Evin prison in Tehran in July 2003; A presidential commission inquiry revealed Kazemi died from a “fractured skull caused by a physical attack;” Iran’s judiciary originally disputed commission’s findings.
· Iranian military reported it has manufactured a new ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles); the new missile, called Ashura, would be capable of reaching US bases in the Middle East as well as Israel.
· Iranian military reported it has manufactured a Ghadir-class submarine which will be delivered to the navy on 28 November; the light submarine will be capable of rapid maneuvers in high speed and is fitted with the latest electronics and communications gears; the navy is planning to conduct war games next February in the Straits of Hormuz, the entrance to the Persian Gulf.
· An Iranian fighter jet today crashed into Chabahar Bay in the Gulf of Oman; two crew members were reported killed in the crash.
· Iranian security forces arrested 11 members of Kurdish separatist group PJAK; PJAK has been behind a string of deadly attacks in northwestern Iran in recent months.

Regional Storylines

· Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said Tehran will not support any particular Lebanese presidential candidates; Hosseini said Iran pushes consensus among various Lebanese personalities, parties and ethnic groups.
· Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey has rejected US call to scrap energy cooperation deal with Iran.

Iran Builds New Missile, Submarine

The New Ghadir-class Submarine

The Iranian military reported it has manufactured a new ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles). At this range, the new missile, called Ashura, would be capable of reaching US bases in the Middle East as well as Israel.

The military also reported it has manufactured a Ghadir-class submarine which will be delivered to the navy tomorrow. The light submarine will be capable of rapid maneuvers at high speed and is fitted with the latest electronics and communications gears, the navy claims.

The navy is planning to conduct war games next February in the Straits of Hormuz, the entrance to the Persian Gulf.

Ashura is the newest in Iran’s ballistic missile inventory. In September, Iran test-fired Ghadr-1, a missile with 1,800 km (1,100 miles) range.