According to reports from Ahwazi human rights activists, in the early hours of 20 July 2026,intelligence forces in Ahwaz raided the homes of several Arab residents of the Mandali district and arrested them solely because of their adherence to Sunni Islam.
According to the Mowj channel in Telegram the raids were carried out in the early morning hours without the presentation of judicial warrants, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among residents, particularly women and children.
The identities of four of the detainees who have so far been confirmed are:
- Saeed Obaidawi, 25
- Hassan Chenani (known as Abu Arkan), 38
- Jaafar Shamousi
- Ismail Obaidawi, 35
All of the detainees are residents of the Mandali district of Ahwaz.
According to the report, intelligence agents searched the homes, confiscated personal belongings and electronic devices, and then transferred the detainees to an undisclosed location. No information has yet been made available regarding their whereabouts, health conditions, or the charges, if any, brought against them.
These arrests come amid a significant escalation in security pressure against Sunni Arab citizens in the Ahwaz Region in recent months. Numerous reports have documented arbitrary arrests, summonses, threats, and increasing restrictions targeting their religious beliefs and practices.
The Karun Human Rights Organization considers the arrest of these citizens on the basis of their religious beliefs and peaceful religious activities to be a clear violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief and an act of arbitrary detention. The organization strongly condemns these arrests and calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately disclose the detainees’ whereabouts, ensure their access to legal counsel and their families, and release them immediately and unconditionally unless they are charged with a recognisable criminal offence supported by credible legal evidence.
