Ahwaz, close to the Iraqi border, is a major hub of Iranian ethnic minority groups, and its largely Arab population has faced brutal repression undere clerical rule.
Fierce fighting occurred when Irans State Security Forces were dispatched to quell angry residents who were complaining of government plans to redefine the ethnic make-up of the province.
Some 3,000 residents gathered in Kurdvani Square on Friday morning and thousands more in Sheling-Abad, Malashiya, Ameri, and Kut Abdollah districts of the city of Ahwaz, demanding the authorities stop what they called ethnic cleansing.
In the ensuing chaos officials of the SSF at first fired tear gas at the demonstrators and then went on to shoot at protestors. Demonstrators ransacked a number of government buildings, police stations, and set fire to the Agriculture Bank.
At least 300 hundred people are believed to be injured after the SSF shot at demonstrators.
Reports received indicate that authorities have since cut off electric power, water, and telephone lines in the area.
