Iranian Forces Raid Hospital in Ilam Following Protests

Verified video evidence documents a raid by Iranian security forces on a medical facility in Ilam, western Iran. The incident occurred on the night of January 3-4, 2026. Forces entered the hospital specifically to arrest injured protesters who were receiving treatment.

The hospital raid was the second major security operation in the region that day. Earlier, on January 3, forces had suppressed a peaceful protest in the nearby town of Arkavaz. Local reporting indicates that at least three people were killed when security forces opened fire on the crowd. The sequence of events suggests a systematic crackdown on demonstrators, extending from the streets to medical institutions.

Footage verified by the Observers team provides clear documentation of the events in Ilam. The videos show uniformed security forces entering the hospital premises. Their objective was reportedly to locate and detain individuals injured during the protests in Arkavaz.

The raid took place in a setting that is traditionally considered a sanctuary for the wounded. By targeting a hospital, the security forces demonstrated a willingness to bypass standard protocols regarding medical neutrality. The verified videos serve as the primary evidence of this intrusion, confirming the presence of state security agents within the medical facility during the late hours of January 3-4.

The hospital raid was directly linked to events that transpired earlier in the day in Arkavaz, a town located near Ilam. On January 3, Iranian security forces responded to a gathering of demonstrators with lethal force. The protest was described by local sources as peaceful.

Despite the non-violent nature of the gathering, security forces opened fire on the crowd. This aggressive response resulted in immediate casualties. According to local reports, the death toll from the Arkavaz shooting stands at a minimum of three individuals. The injured from this incident were subsequently transported to the hospital in Ilam, where they were later targeted by the security forces.

The sequence of the crackdown highlights a rapid escalation of force by the Iranian security forces within a 24-hour window. The timeline of the two connected incidents is as follows:

• January 3 (Daytime): Security forces open fire on a peaceful protest in Arkavaz, killing at least three people.
• January 3-4 (Night): Security forces raid the hospital in Ilam to arrest those wounded in the Arkavaz shooting.

This timeline illustrates the continuity of the operations. The forces did not cease their activities after the initial shooting in Arkavaz. Instead, they pursued the protesters to the hospital, ensuring that those who survived the initial attack were apprehended.

The events in Ilam and Arkavaz are situated in the western region of Iran. This area has historically been a focal point for various political and social movements. The use of live ammunition against a peaceful protest and the subsequent raid on a medical facility represent a significant intensification of state tactics in the region.

The involvement of the Observers team in verifying the video footage brings international attention to the situation. While local reports provide the casualty figures, the visual evidence confirms the methods employed by the security forces. The incident raises questions about the protection of human rights and the safety of medical institutions during periods of civil unrest in Iran.

The verified reports and video evidence detail a severe sequence of events in western Iran. Iranian security forces killed at least three people in Arkavaz and subsequently raided a hospital in Ilam to arrest the wounded. These actions demonstrate a comprehensive approach to suppressing dissent, targeting protesters both in public spaces and within medical care facilities. The documentation provided by the Observers team confirms the severity of the crackdown.