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Water Shortages Compound Iran's Problems

(New York Times) Farnaz Fassihi - As Iran struggles with a fifth wave of the coronavirus pandemic, it is also contending with a severe water shortage. A prolonged drought and rising temperatures, combined with decades of government mismanagement, have turned the water crisis into a volatile incubator of violent protests. Large crowds in Khuzestan Province in the southwest, home to an ethnic Arab population that has historically faced discrimination, were captured in amateur videos on social media shouting, "I am thirsty!" and demanding immediate relief. Security forces and anti-riot police beat the crowds with batons, scattered them with tear gas, tracked them with drones and fired gunshots, according to witnesses. Three young men were shot and killed by security forces, according to rights organizations.
2021-07-22 00:00:00
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