In a series of “terrorist” attacks, suspected Sunni Muslim militants from the Jaish al-Adl group targeted Iran’s Revolutionary Guards headquarters in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan. State media reported that at least five Iranian security forces were killed in the assaults, which occurred in the towns of Chabahar and Rask.
Overnight clashes ensued between the militants and security forces, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 militants, according to state TV reports. Deputy Interior Minister Majid Mirahmadi confirmed that the attackers were unable to seize control of the Guards headquarters despite their efforts.
State TV also mentioned that 10 security officers sustained injuries during the confrontations in this predominantly Sunni Muslim-populated area. Jaish al-Adl, an extremist Sunni Muslim militant group, has been active in the region, advocating for greater rights and improved living conditions for the ethnic minority Baluchis in predominantly Shi’ite Iran.
The southeastern province, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, has a history of clashes between Iranian security forces and various groups, including Sunni militants and well-armed drug traffickers. Iran serves as a crucial transit point for narcotics trafficked from Afghanistan to destinations in the West and beyond.
Jaish al-Adl has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on Iranian security forces in recent years, including a December assault on a police station in Rask, where 11 security personnel lost their lives and several others were wounded. Additionally, in January, Iran launched missile strikes on two bases belonging to the militant group in Pakistan. This move prompted a swift military response from Islamabad, targeting what Pakistan claimed were separatist militants operating in Iran.
The situation in the region remains tense as Iranian authorities continue efforts to maintain security amidst the ongoing threats posed by militants and drug trafficking activities.
