In a tragic incident, Iranian security forces opened fire on a group of kolbars in the border areas of Saqqez in Kurdistan province, resulting in the death of 45-year-old Mansour Mohammadnejad. The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported that Mohammadnejad lost his life due to direct gunfire from the border regiment forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday evening.

Kolbars, who are semi-legal porters responsible for transporting untaxed goods across the Kurdistan Region-Iran border, face constant targeting by Iranian border guards. The Iran-Turkey border is also a common route for these porters. Last year, the Paris-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) documented a total of 29 kolbar deaths, with at least 19 attributed to Iranian border guards.

Poverty and a lack of alternative employment options, particularly in Iran's Kurdish provinces, often force individuals into the dangerous profession of kolbars. The families of these porters rely heavily on the income generated from transporting goods, making them vulnerable to attacks by Iranian border guards.

The annual report on human rights violations in Iran for 2023 by KHRN highlighted the grim situation, emphasizing the challenges faced by kolbars. In 2022, data from Hengaw revealed that an estimated 33 kolbars lost their lives, and 176 others were wounded due to direct fire from Iranian forces. Additionally, 35 kolbars fell victim to natural accidents during the same period.

The plight of kolbars continues to raise concerns about human rights abuses in the region, shedding light on the desperate circumstances that push individuals into this perilous profession. International organizations and human rights advocates are urging for increased awareness and action to address the root causes of this issue and to protect the lives and livelihoods of the kolbar community.