59 Iranian Kurdish cross-border porters died in 2024: annual report

SNE, Iranian Kurdistan,— At least 59 Kurdish cross-border porters, known as kolbars, lost their lives in 2024 along the Iranian border, according to a report released by KolbarNews, a group that monitors the plight of these workers in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhelat).

The annual report highlighted the dangerous conditions faced by kolbars, who transport goods across treacherous mountain passes between Iran and Iraq.

The report revealed that 345 kolbars were either killed or injured last year, marking a 15% increase compared to 2023. Among these, 59 fatalities accounted for 17% of the total incidents, while 286 (83%) sustained injuries.

The report attributed 75% of these cases—259 incidents—to direct attacks by Iranian security forces. Other causes included harsh weather, falls from heights, landmine explosions, and accidents along the mountainous routes.

The organization also noted that 22 of those affected were minors, including one who died from exposure to severe cold.

Kolbars, who often lack access to stable employment due to systemic discrimination and poverty, endure extreme weather conditions and significant risks to earn a livelihood. Temperatures in the border regions of West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Kermashan provinces in Iranian Kurdistan range from frigid winters to scorching summers, making their work even more perilous.

Since the 1979 establishment of the Islamic Republic, Kurdish regions have faced repression. Activists and international organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about the systematic denial of rights, which has further entrenched poverty and exacerbated the struggles of communities in Iranian Kurdistan.

The Iranian Islamist government has faced criticism for its treatment of the Kurdish population, estimated to number over 12 million.

Advocacy groups accuse the regime of enforcing discriminatory policies that marginalize Kurds economically, politically, and culturally. These include restrictions on registering Kurdish names, limited access to housing and employment, and targeted measures against religious minorities with Kurdish ties.