Iranian border security forces shot and killed a Kurdish man on Thursday morning in the Choman area of Baneh. The victim, identified as Matlab Kheybari, left behind a grieving family including his two young children. Security personnel allegedly opened fire directly at his head without issuing any prior verbal warning whatsoever. Meanwhile, local sources confirmed that Kheybari carried absolutely no contraband when the security forces targeted him.
This sudden attack underscores the escalating rate of Kurdish border porter fatalities in Iran, which alarms regional monitors. Therefore, impoverished residents from Kurdish border communities routinely seek employment in this hazardous sector to survive. These workers, locally known as kolbars, transport heavy loads of commercial goods across difficult mountain terrains. For instance, they manually carry food items, clothing, and cosmetics to sustain families amid high unemployment.
According to data from the Haji Omaran border crossing, over one thousand porters cross the frontier daily. Furthermore, these laborers collectively transport approximately sixty tons of retail goods from the Kurdistan Region. Although many individuals hold official permit cards, they face extreme vulnerabilities during their daily journeys. Specifically, unpredictable mountain weather, steep rocky cliffs, and sudden military actions pose a constant threat to their lives.
Human rights organizations emphasize that the lack of alternative employment opportunities drives this trade. On the other hand, families rely heavily on this commerce because rising living costs weaken the economy. Unfortunately, the rise in Kurdish border porter fatalities in Iran illustrates the ongoing friction regarding enforcement. Ultimately, observers expect that regional authorities will face continued pressure to reform border engagement rules.