KERMAN: An Iranian soldier opened fire on fellow soldiers at a barracks dormitory in the southeastern city of Kerman, resulting in the death of five soldiers.
This unsettling event follows closely on the heels of the bombing attack earlier this month, where 94 lives were lost in the same city.
According to reports from Iranian state TV, the shooting occurred when the soldier entered the barracks dormitory and opened fire on the resting soldiers. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the unidentified suspect is currently at large. No additional details have been released regarding the incident.
The city of Kerman, located approximately 830 kilometers (515 miles) southeast of Tehran, has been grappling with recent unrest. Earlier this month, it witnessed two deadly explosions during an anniversary ceremony, claiming the lives of 94 individuals and injuring hundreds. The ceremony was held in remembrance of an Iranian general who lost his life in a 2020 US drone strike in Iraq. The responsibility for the bombings was claimed by Daesh (ISIS).
Incidents of shootings within military bases have sporadically surfaced in Iran. In 2022, a soldier perpetrated a similar act, killing another soldier and three policemen at a roadside police station in the southern part of the country.
It’s noteworthy that military service, lasting up to 24 months, is mandatory for Iranian men aged 19 and above. As investigations unfold, the recent shooting adds to the complexity of security concerns within the region.
