Surge in Helicopter Activity over Saqqez

Saqqez - The residents of Saqqez have witnessed an escalation in helicopter activity over Mahsa Amini’s hometown amid beefing up security measures ahead of the first anniversary of her death.

Military convoys are heading toward Saqqez, while security forces are patrolling the streets of the city and inspecting vehicles at its entrance points. 

The Iranian authorities, fearing a flare up in protests ahead of the anniversary of Amini’s death in police custody, have ramped up security in Kurdistan province in recent days, particularly in Saqqez.

The 22-year-old Amini died after falling into a coma following her arrest for not wearing a headscarf "properly," sparking months of nationwide protests.