Iranian security forces faced intense battles from a militant separatist group in Sistan and Baluchestan Province that lasted nearly 17 hours, resulting in the deaths of 10 security officers and 18 militants. Jaish al-Adl, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., claimed responsibility for the attacks. The gunmen wore explosive vests and attempted to take over military bases belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in the cities of Chabahar and Rask.
The attacks in the restive southeast region of Iran near Pakistan and Afghanistan come at a time of heightened tensions in the country, following Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus. Iranian officials vowed to retaliate against Israel. The population of Sistan and Baluchestan, predominantly ethnic Baluch and Sunni, have long accused the central Shiite government of discrimination. Clashes with security forces in this area are frequent, due to the presence of smugglers, drug lords, and separatist Sunni militant groups.
Jaish al-Adl stated that 168 of its fighters participated in the attack, with the aim of obstructing Iran’s development of an area known as Makan, on the Persian Gulf shores, which the group argued compromised the Sunni-dominated demographic. The Revolutionary Guards warned that the security of the Iranian people was a red line and vowed to confront Iran’s enemies forcefully. State television pointed fingers at Israel, blaming them for instigating the attacks.
Videos on state television and social media captured the chaos and destruction caused by the attacks, with footage showing bullet-riddled Revolutionary Guards security buildings and bodies of militants. Residents of the affected cities described harrowing experiences of grenades thrown into their homes and being caught in the crossfire on the streets. The attacks follow previous incidents involving Jaish al-Adl and other terrorist groups operating in the region.
The ongoing violence in Iran, including a series of attacks by Israel and terrorist assaults, along with the deteriorating economic situation, has created panic and anxiety among the Iranian population. The country’s currency, the rial, has significantly depreciated against the dollar. An analyst specializing in Iran’s security highlighted the challenges faced by Iranian authorities in dealing with the militants, who demonstrate a deep understanding of local military infrastructure.
The timing of the attacks is particularly critical for Iran, given the direct attacks from Israel and the compromise of their intelligence system. The recent wave of violence underscores the complex security situation in the region and the potential for further instability. The Iranian government faces the challenge of ensuring the security and well-being of its citizens in the face of ongoing threats from various militant groups and external adversaries.
