GVF — Thousands of Iranians have protested the Iranian authorities’ failure to take action to save Lake Urmia, the Middle East’s largest lake and the third largest salt-water lake in the world.
Protesters in the predominantly Azeri-speaking cities of Tabriz and Oroumiyeh (Urmia) chanted slogans defending Lake Urmia and criticising the authorities’ inaction in halting the further worsening of the lake’s state.
Iranian lawmakers recently voted against allocating funds to channel water from the Araz River to help raise the level of the lake. In addition, in a move that has enraged many Iranians, the parliamentarians proposed relocating those living in the vicinity of Lake Urmia.
Sporadic clashes have been reported in the Azeri cities of Oroumiyeh (Urmia) and Tabriz during Saturday’s protests.
While there’s little information about the protests themselves, various sources confirm thousands took part in the demonstrations. Security forces have responded to the peaceful demonstrations by firing tear gas and plastic bullets into the crowds.
A noticeable security atmosphere is prevalent in the streets of Oroumiyeh and Tabriz.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), protesters have been wounded and imprisoned as a result of the security forces violent crackdown today.