The Unrest
Well into the night, thousands of young men continued to roam the center of Khodabandeh, battling pockets of resistance from provincial security forces and sending a message to the authorities: they weren't backing down. The quiet unrest that had been building in Zanjan province had exploded early this week in the form a massive government military operation against separatist-controlled cities in the south of the province. While the operation has been described by the state media as a "routine security operation," the attacks on hospitals, universities, and other civilian targets outraged the public and prompted widespread international condemnation.
As news of the attack swept the capital, angry students and government critics took to the streets in anger, smashing the windows of businesses in the city center and attacking police that have become a regular presence. In other parts of the city, thousands gathered to chant pro-human rights slogans and calling for the end of the government's persecution against minorities.
Gholam Mirza, a civil engineering student from Zanjan Islamic University, was standing on street corner with a group of other students as they watched gangs to continue to roam the streets.
"I don't see any of those scumbags around...." Mirza as he flashed a peace sign to a passing group of students waving debris and pictures of Azeri separatist leaders.
"Of course, we drove them out!" said Rahiba, a classmate of Gholam. "We actually did it...."
"Don't be stupid, girl." said fellow student Iraj Yusuf. "You think they are just going to let us leave peacefully.... things are going to get ugly, it's only a question of when."