On January 6, at a border area in Nosud, Kermanshah Province, two Kolbars (cross-border carriers) were killed and injured in a direct shooting by regime military forces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, military forces killed one Kolbar and injured the other. The Kolbars were identified by the first names Freydun and Sirius. The injured Kolbar’s condition is still unknown.

Many poor people living in border areas work as Kolbars to make ends meet. This work is illegal and involves carrying loads on foot across national borders. Yearly, dozens of Kolbars are injured and killed from accidents, dangerous conditions, and border guard shootings.

According to HRANA’s annual report, in 2021, 242 citizens were targeted by unruly shootings by regime military forces, of which 94 were killed. This includes 23 Kolbars (cross border carriers) and 31 Sukhtbar (cross-border fuel porters). 148 people have been injured, including 81 Kolbars and 51 Sukhtbars.