Nowhere To Run

NIAC notes an unsettling detail from today:

Normally, when demonstrators gather in the city, they can run away from the security forces relatively easily. Normally the Basij don’t even run after the protesters in the streets of Tehran because they can lead them into alley and ambush them.

But such was not the case today. As a protester on the ground described the situation:

“Because we were in an open space, the security forces were merciless and they ran full speed ahead after us.“

This appears to be another consequence of the lack of leadership for the opposition movement. While it is not a justification for the abuse being carried out by the security forces, it is possible that better planning for today’s rallies could have helped prevent some of the day’s brutality.

(AP photo via The Lede)