On January 8, 2026, protesters in Kermanshah and Birjand confronted Iranian security forces, blocking advances, torching equipment, and forcing units into retreat.
Security Forces Stalled in Kermanshah and Birjand
Reports received from protest sites on January 8, 2026, indicated that regime security forces faced a deadlock against public anger in both Kermanshah and Birjand. In western Iran, the Vakil Agha neighborhood of Kermanshah turned into the scene of intense clashes and running street battles between rebellious youth and special riot police units.
Protesters blocked the advance of security forces by erecting barriers and setting fires in the streets, effectively cutting off movement routes. Urban hit-and-run tactics and close-range confrontations led to the immobilization of riot police units in the area.
Street Battles in Vakil Agha
Kermanshah — January 8, 2026
In the Vakil Agha neighborhood, protesters engaged riot police in direct confrontations. Fires were lit to block access routes, forcing security forces to halt their advance. Street battles and tactical retreats by protesters repeatedly disrupted the operations of special units, leaving regime forces unable to regain control of the area.
Riot Police Equipment Torched in Birjand
Birjand — January 8, 2026
At the same time in eastern Iran, protesters in Birjand launched a swift attack on riot police patrol units. Several motorcycles belonging to special forces were set on fire, destroying key intimidation tools used by the regime. The targeted action significantly disrupted security patrols and temporarily paralyzed repression efforts in the city.
