Since 2003 Iran has been facing with religious terrorism from Sunni Baloch militant groups in the province of Sistan va Balochestan. The scales of terrorist attacks have been different, mainly targeting police, disciplinary, Islamic revolutionary (Sepaah and Basij) and the intelligence forces. To deal with the problem, Iran and Pakistan have been holding sessions at different levels. The two states, for reasons, have failed to reach effective solution so far. Iran has often requested or warned Pakistan about its failure to cooperate with Iran in handling the Baloch Sunni militant groups operating from the Pakistan’s soil. Pakistan asserts, it has cooperated with Iran, however, admitting that at times it may not have full control over some incidents. In this regard, once a Pakistani official has sarcastically said: “well, if Iran thinks we Pakistani are unable to preserve security in our Balochestan then my question is that why Iranians cannot prevent the terrorists from entering their own country?!”
In January 2024, Iran launched air raids on an area in Pakistan’s Balochestan where two children were killed and few injured. Reportedly, this area was occupied by Jaish al-Adl (a Sunni militant Iranian Baloch group). Pakistan considered this unacceptable. In the meantime, Pakistan is of the opinion that some Baloch separatists (Sarmacharan) who operate against Pakistan have taken shelter (for years) in Iran’s Balochestan. Thus, they reacted similarly by launching air strikes inside Iranian territory (Saravan) killing around 12 children and women.
What I would like to raise here is that there are several viewpoints on the “January 2024 Iran-Pak air strikes” which each is debatable.
First, “some Western media are referring to the Baloch of both countries as separatist who resent being ruled by Pakistan and Iran.” There are two critical flaws in such statements which need to be clarified: 1) Ethnic nationalism or Baloch separatism, to some extent, may be true with some Baloch living in Pakistan. Yet, this does not represent the view of all the Baloch in Pakistan. 2) Iranian Sunni Baloch militants do not fight to establish an independent Balochestan. They say that their fight is to overthrow the Shia establishment in Iran. Hence, one must be very careful while using such terms. The concepts like “Baloch separatism” or “ethnic nationalism” are often highlighted by some Western media and are magnified by the Baloch nationalist figures or groups, airing their views on influential social networks or powerful media. What seems to be more real is that majority of Baloch in Pakistan want “greater provincial autonomy” and the target of Iran’s Baloch Sunni militant groups is to overthrow the Islamic Republic. Therefore, concepts such as “separatism” or “independence” are not accentuated by the Baloch masses. These concepts are raised by some vested interest groups in which this can provoke the ethno-nationalist feelings of the Baloch. In turn, it may incite both Iran and Pakistan to crush their Baloch citizens. So, military or intelligence apparatus of both states should be alerted to such psychological warfare.
Second, the other view which is mainly hold by the Baloch nationalists is that “both Pakistan and Iran had been covertly informing each other in advance about their air raids; there is a sham quarrel between Iran and Pakistan to suppress the Baloch fighters.”
The third view is opposite of the second one which believes, “there was no secret arrangement between Iran and Pakistan.” According to Pakistan, what Iran did was “an egregious violation of international law.” As a result, Pakistan fought back to defend itself.
Fourth, another view tries to relate the Iran-Pak air raids in Balochestan to the ongoing Middle East crisis as part of the greater war in the region.
Whatsoever, I believe, the Iran-Pak air raids was solely related to Iran and Pakistan’s internal issues. It was short and temporary and does not seem to continue. Both states understand well that they have powerful enemies who can benefit from such crisis, so this is for the interest of both to immediately stop such types of conflicts. But, they should reach compromise with the Baloch fighters on both sides. If, in case, they fail to reach a solution, the Baloch crisis particularly for Pakistan may get out of control and become a regional or global issue. On the other side, as far as the Baloch Sunni militant of Iran and Baloch separatist groups in Pakistan are concerned, they should realize that under such circumstances the only losers will be the Baloch themselves. The situation of the region seems to be unfavorable for the Baloch nationalists and Baloch religious fanatics. The Baloch militant groups in both sides should rethink and reconsider their approach; peace and compromise between the Baloch militants and the governments in Iran and Pakistan is the way out of the crisis. 19 JAN 2024.
Ahmad Reza Taheri
