Photos: Yazd faces water shortage as supply from Isfahan cut by protesting farmers

03/04/13

Related Article by The Observers, France: A tale of two Iranian cities, battling for water

Outraged that precious water from their local river is being diverted, last week a group of farmers in Isfahan, Iran destroyed a pump channelling water to the city of Yazd. They've been guarding the pump day and night ever since, refusing to let the authorities fix it. Meanwhile, residents of Yazd are suffering from a severe water shortage, leading to fears of unrest there.

All week, the farmers guarding the pump, which is located just outside Isfahan, have been clashing with police. According to opposition news sites, Wednesday and Thursday's night's clashes have been the worst yet, with police opening fire on protesters with rubber and lead bullets, wounding many. Despite this, the demonstrators - whom our Observer in Isfahan says number in the several thousand - have stayed put.

The local branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard blames "rebels" for fostering violence, and says the clashes have resulted in injuries and arrests, without specifying any numbers. It also accuses them of attacking a local base belonging to Basij paramilitary volunteers.

Meanwhile, about 300 kilometres away in Yazd, water is being rationed. The local governor has called on Isfahan to promptly suppress the farmers' protest and repair the pump. (read full story by The Observers)

Related Story:

Iran: Anger over water shortages leads to violence in Esfahan- Two months into protests in Esfahan Province over water transfers to Yazd Province, protesters and security forces clashed and several buses were set on fire. The Kaleme website reported on Thursday February 28 that the clashes occurred when a group of officials who had arrived to make repairs to the water pipelines were met with resistance. 03/1/13