KolbarNews has published its report on human rights violations against kolbars during the first half of the year. According to the report, two kolbars were killed and six others were injured.

 

Kolbars are cross-border porters, primarily Kurdish, who carry goods on their backs across the mountainous Iran-Iraq border due to a lack of alternative employment opportunities.

 

The report states that at least six kolbars and other cross-border laborers were directly targeted by gunfire from Iranian military forces, resulting in the deaths of two of them. The victims were identified as Mohammad Mohammadi (Qazi Kavani) and Matal Kheyberi.

 

The report states: "The first half of 2026 was marked by increasingly stringent security policies in the border regions, compounded by the consequences of the recent war, with serious repercussions for kolbars and their families. The increased deployment of military forces along the border, tighter border controls, and restrictions on crossing routes relied upon by thousands of families for their livelihoods have made it even more difficult for kolbars to earn a living while placing their lives at greater risk. During this period, kolbars continued to face not only the economic pressure caused by the loss or shrinking of their income sources, but also direct gunfire, arbitrary detention, and other human rights violations."

 

You can access the full report here.