The freedom rebellion in East Kurdistan and Iran has been going on for three months.

The general strike, called for by the revolutionary movement in Iran and East Kurdistan (Rojhilat), was launched two days ago to protest the attacks by Iranian regime forces.

The general strike continues in East Kurdistan's Kirmanshan, Sine, Îlam, Mahabad, Rewanser, Pawe, Merîwan, Seqîz, Bane, Bokan, Dîwandere, Qirwe, Kamyaran, Şîno, Dêwlan, Ciwanro, West Islam Abad and many other cities.

Shops have remained closed in Iran's Shiraz, Bushehr, Kerec, Esfehan, Lahican, Qezwîn and more cities.

University students have joined the general strike and are boycotting schools in many cities, especially in Tehran.

BACKGROUND

For the "14-15-16 protests" - the numbers are the dates in the Persian calendar month of Azar - a strike by traders and a three-day boycott of all economic activity was called for. Shops are to remain closed and purchases avoided, thus preventing any circulation of money in the Iranian banking system. The Kurdish human rights organisation Hengaw showed videos from Rojhilat showing almost deserted streets and closed markets, shops and bazaars in inner cities. In more than twenty Kurdish cities, traders and bazaars are taking part in the strikes. Across the country, more than 50 cities are on strike.

Similar calls led in recent weeks to an intensification of the popular uprising that has gripped the country since the death of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini. The Kurdish woman had been the victim of a state femicide in police custody in mid-September. The morality police had arrested her for allegedly violating the Islamist regime's dress code.

Since the beginning of the popular uprising in Iran and Eastern Kurdistan, human rights groups estimate that nearly 500 demonstrators have been killed, including at least 64 children. In addition, thousands of people have been arrested in recent months, some of whom have already been sentenced to death by revolutionary courts for "war against God".