Arnika Dabbagh

Their life

Arnika Dabbagh was a 19-year-old girl from Gorgan, Iran, who became one of the youngest victims of the January 2026 protest crackdown. She was shot during demonstrations in her city and later died from her injuries. Her death occurred amid widespread internet and communication shutdowns that hindered access to emergency medical care and obscured information about casualties.

Arnika Dabbagh was a teenager living in Gorgan, a city in northern Iran, when nationwide protests erupted in early January 2026. As demonstrations spread across multiple cities, Iranian authorities responded with lethal force. On Friday, January 10, 2026, Arnika was shot by direct gunfire from government forces during protests in Gorgan.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, after being seriously wounded, Arnika was unable to be transported promptly to medical facilities due to a complete shutdown of communication lines, which prevented coordination and emergency response. She later died from the severity of her injuries. Her killing highlighted both the use of live ammunition against civilians and the deadly consequences of information blackouts during the crackdown.

How they died

Gunshot wounds inflicted by live ammunition

Arnika Dabbagh was struck by direct gunfire from Iranian government forces during protests in Gorgan. After sustaining severe gunshot injuries, she did not receive timely medical treatment because communication networks were entirely shut down, preventing rapid transfer to hospitals. She ultimately died as a result of the seriousness of her injuries.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Arnika Dabbagh, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources