(AFP/Gulf Times-Qatar) - Fierce fighting has flared between ethnic Arabs and Iranian security forces in a province bordering Iraq. Iran's official Irna news agency said clashes erupted on Friday in the Arab-majority oil-rich province of Khuzestan over reported plans to change the ethnic make-up of the area. Al Jazeera said three Arabs were killed, many more injured, and as many as 250 arrested after banks and police stations were set ablaze. The unrest in the province's main city, Ahvaz, resulted in damage to public buildings and banks. Al Jazeera said the London-based Popular Democratic Front of Ahvazi Arabs in Iran had called for peaceful demonstrations in the area "to mark 80 years of Iranian occupation."
2005-04-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive