Widespread civil disobedience and a heavy security force presence have been reported in Iran's Kurdish city of Saqqez on the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death.
The city, birthplace of Amini, whose death in custody sparked the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in 2022, has become a focal point of commemorative activities and government attempts to suppress them.
According to information obtained by IranWire, the government's strategy has shifted from last year.
Military forces arrived in Saqqez two days before the anniversary. This year, they have been stationed at an IRGC base near the city's entrance from Sanandaj, rather than at the governor's compound where they were the previous year.
Additional forces have been positioned at the exit towards Baneh and along the route to Aichi cemetery, where Amini is buried.
While the streets remain free of visible military or special unit presence as of midday on Sunday, the skies above Saqqez are under constant surveillance by several military helicopters.
The IRGC has intensified its presence at city entry points and has been checking incoming vehicles.
The authorities' preparations for this day began several days in advance.
In a repeat of last year's tactics, they released water from the Cheraghweis dam on Friday night, causing the Saqqez River to expand to impassable levels at all points.
The measure appears designed to limit movement within the city and access to key locations.
Despite these obstacles, Saqqez's residents have responded to calls from various Kurdish parties and personalities to support the Amini family and others who lost loved ones during the Woman, Life, Freedom protests.
A significant strike action began Sunday morning, with many businesses in the main market and along major city routes remaining closed.
The outskirts of Saqqez have also been affected by the strike. However, government offices remain open, with some citizens attending to administrative matters.
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