Baluchistan
The explosion by a suicide bomber in southern Iran in the province of Sistan-Baluchistan highlights an ongoing regional conflict between the Shia Iranians and the Sunni Baluchis. After themselves being persecuted for centuries the Shia have been persecuting the Sunnis in Baluchistan. In the explosion 42 people were killed and many injured at a meeting between local tribal leaders and senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRG) leaders, including deputy commander of the IRG ground forces, Gen. Shooshtari, and local IRG leaders. This is the most successful action so far of the Baluchi insurrection, and was claimed by a Sunni organization called Jundallah (Army of God) and there is also a Baluchi Liberation Army.
The irony is that Iran, that supports terrorism by Hamas in Gaza and Hizbollah (Party of God) in Lebanon against Israel, is now tasting it own medicine, so to speak. The Iranian Govt complained to the Pakistan Govt. about this Baluchi terrorist incident. But, it is unlikely that Pakistan would do anything, in view of the fact that there is a large Baluchi minority in Pakistan, and both the Baluchis and the Pakistanis are Sunni, while Iran is Shia. Also, Pakistan is engaged in a major strike against the Taliban and al Qaeda terrorists in the northern region of Waziristan, after suffering nearly 200 casualties from a series of terrorist bombings recently throughout Pakistan.
Baluchistan in about 50% of the area of Pakistan and its population is about 25%. There has always been a low intensity movement for Baluchi independence, including their brothers over the Iranian border. Although the Baluchis are a Persian people they, like the Pashtuns, another large Iranian minority, would like to have their own independence. We can now expect the IRG to wreak vengeance on the Baluchis, which will only cause Jundallah and other Sunni organizations to fight back.
After blaming Pakistan, the US and UK for the terrorist incident Iran today called for the UN Security Council to take up the matter. I doubt there will be much sympathy for that.
The irony is that Iran, that supports terrorism by Hamas in Gaza and Hizbollah (Party of God) in Lebanon against Israel, is now tasting it own medicine, so to speak. The Iranian Govt complained to the Pakistan Govt. about this Baluchi terrorist incident. But, it is unlikely that Pakistan would do anything, in view of the fact that there is a large Baluchi minority in Pakistan, and both the Baluchis and the Pakistanis are Sunni, while Iran is Shia. Also, Pakistan is engaged in a major strike against the Taliban and al Qaeda terrorists in the northern region of Waziristan, after suffering nearly 200 casualties from a series of terrorist bombings recently throughout Pakistan.
Baluchistan in about 50% of the area of Pakistan and its population is about 25%. There has always been a low intensity movement for Baluchi independence, including their brothers over the Iranian border. Although the Baluchis are a Persian people they, like the Pashtuns, another large Iranian minority, would like to have their own independence. We can now expect the IRG to wreak vengeance on the Baluchis, which will only cause Jundallah and other Sunni organizations to fight back.
After blaming Pakistan, the US and UK for the terrorist incident Iran today called for the UN Security Council to take up the matter. I doubt there will be much sympathy for that.
posted by Jack Cohen at 7:25 AM
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