The streets of Tehra, Iran erupted in massive and fiery morning-to-dusk protests Sunday December 27, 2009 as tens of thousands of demonstrators clashed with security forces on the occasion of an important Shiite Muslim holiday — Ashura.
Several witnesses told Los Angeles Times reporters that Iranian security forces opened fire with live ammunition against unarmed protesters near College Bridge in in the capital Tehran. At least five protesters were killed, including Ali Mousavi, the nephew of opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi. A stabbing was witnessed in front of the City Theater in downtown Tehran.
Reformist websites and witnesses also reported clashes in the cities of Qom, Esfahan, Najafabad, Kashan, Shiraz, Babol and Mashhad.