22 January 2026 :
January 21, 2026 - IRAN. Identities of 8 killed in Islam-Abad-e Gharb
The identities of eight Kurdish people from Islam-Abad-e Gharb (Shabad) have been confirmed among those killed during protests in the city. All were killed by direct gunfire from government forces, according to information verified by Hengaw on January 21.
With these cases, Hengaw has now verified and published the identities of 14 Kurdish people killed in Islam-Abad-e Gharb. Information received by Hengaw indicates that at least 23 people were killed during the protests in the city.
All eight individuals were killed on January 8, 2026. Further details are as follows:
- Dr. Sajjad Kiani, a dentist from Islam-Abad-e Gharb and a well-known and widely respected figure in the city, was killed after being shot by government forces during the protests.
- Masoud Sahami, also from Islam-Abad-e Gharb, was killed during the same protests. According to information received by Hengaw, he had previously worked as an assistant at an auto oil-change shop.
- Milad Farrokhi, who was married and the father of two children, was killed after being struck by live ammunition fired by government forces. His body was buried on January 10, 2026, at a cemetery in Venaei village.
- Navid Mirzaei, another resident of Islam-Abad-e Gharb, was killed by government forces during the protests. According to informed sources, his body was buried on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Imamzadeh Hassan cemetery in the city.
- Jaber Abdi, also from Islam-Abad-e Gharb, was killed by direct gunfire from Iranian government forces. His body was buried on January 11, 2026.
- Amirhossein Naderi, from Zavareh-Kuh village, and
- Javad Niazi, from Banganjav village, were also killed after being shot by government forces during the protests. Both were buried on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in their respective hometowns.
- Farshid Shekarsokhan, another resident of Islam-Abad-e Gharb, was also killed by government forces during the protests.
Hengaw had previously reported that the use of force by Iranian government forces against protesters on January 8, 2026, resulted in multiple people being killed and injured. That report also confirmed that at least three members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed during the same events.
Sources in Islam-Abad-e Gharb have confirmed to Hengaw that at least 23 Kurdish people were killed by Iranian government forces during the protests. Hengaw had earlier verified and published the identities of six individuals, bringing the total number of confirmed identities to 14.
https://hengaw.net/en/news/2026/01/article-173
