Uprising of the Thirsty · Khizesh-e Teshnegan

Culture of origin: Arab · Historical

Holiday sources: Iran · Iranian Arab

In July 2021 over 700 villages in Khuzestan had no running drinking water after years of dam-building and river diversion. From 15 July people protested every evening in Susangerd, Hamidiyeh, Ahvaz, Shadegan, Mahshahr and other towns, chanting 'I am thirsty'. Security forces fired live ammunition and birdshot; Amnesty International counted at least eight protesters and bystanders killed, a teenage boy among them, and mass arrests of Ahwazi Arabs.