Reuters news agency reported that a percussion bomb exploded in Ahwaz City at 9.45pm local time, shattering windows but causing no fatalities or injuries. This is the fourth bomb attack in Ahwaz so far this year. On 26 January, a bomb exploded in a bank killing eight or nine people. At the same time, a percussion bomb exploded outside a government building causing no fatalities. Percussion bombs were also detonated in Ahwaz City on 29 January and 7 February with no reported injuries or deaths.
The Iranian regime has blamed bomb blasts in Ahwaz City on Ahwazi Arabs organised and directed by British forces in Iraq's Basra province. The British deny the accusations. One small and non-influential group based in Canada has claimed responsibility for the 26 January attacks, but it is impossible to verify the claims. The regime itself has not accused any particular Ahwazi group of responsibility for the attacks.
The Ahwazi opposition party, the Democratic Solidarity Party of Ahwaz, which represents the Ahwazis in UNPO, along with the National United Movement of Al-Ahwaz, Ahwaz Studies Centre, British Ahwazi Friendship Society, Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran and the Balochistan Peoples Party have united in condemnation of all political violence in Ahwaz. In a joint statement, they urged "politicians, non-governmental organisations and international bodies to recognise the suffering of the Ahwazi Arab people and the repression, economic marginalisation and state terrorism they face."
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