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Apoorva Devanshi
Guest
Within 24 hours, Iran attacked three countries- Iraq, Syria and Pakistan with its ballistic missiles and drones. Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir- Abdollahian said that the attack was in response to the group’s recent attack on Rask. They breached Pakistan’s air defense systems on January 16th and struck two terror outfits of Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl.
The Sunni Salafist militant group Jaish al-Adl, also known as the “Army of Justice,” has its headquarters in the Pakistani province of Balochistan and operates in the mountainous areas, bordering Iran and Pakistan. The Sistan and Balochistan province, also called “Asli Balouchestan” is located in southeast Iran and borders the Indian Ocean and Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Iranian officials believe that the group was formed in 2012 and since then its been operating from Pakistan. It claims to be fighting for the independence of the province.
The group has involved itself in lot of violent attacks on Iran. In 2019, the group claimed responsibility for suicide bombing in which 27 people of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard were killed. Recently also, it had attacked police stations in Rask and killed 11 Iranian Police officers.
Pakistan said in a statement that it “Reserves the right to respond” to an unlawful and unprovoked attack. It said that the violation of the Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences. Pakistan alleged that Iranian missiles had targeted its nationals which led to the death of two children. It has also recalled its envoy from Iran.
However, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian dismissed these allegations. Mr. Abdollahian at World Economic Forum in Davos said that “We do respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan and also of Iraq but we won’t allow our national security to be compromised.”
China issued a statement pleading all parties to proceed with caution and prevent the situation from getting out of control. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a routine briefing, “We call on both sides to exercise restraint, avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension and work together to maintain peace and stability.”
India reiterated its longstanding position on terrorism saying that it has “zero tolerance” towards it. It has made it clear that Iran and Pakistan are parties to this dispute. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that, “This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. So far as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising zero tolerance towards terrorism.” He added that “We understand the actions countries take in their self defense” in a statement issued on 17th January.
Iran attacked Pakistan just as Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar wrapped his visit to Tehran, a country with which Bharat has friendly relations. This indicates that nothing of significance now happens in the world without consulting Bharat. Moreover, in his visit to Tehran he had also discussed various events in West Asia and had also expressed that attacks on Bharat bound ships will not be acceptable, in Iran itself!
Then Pakistan was in process of being used again as a pawn by U.S.A. However, it got a kick from Iran- telling it that it needs to fall in line. At present, Pakistan is undergoing severe political and economic crisis and has to hold parliamentary elections in less than a month. Considering the fact that it has soured its relations with most of its neighbouring countries including Afghanistan and Iran. Its unclear how it will respond. For if it does hit back then it shall risk being drawn into Middle East conflict which it has been avoiding so far. If it doesn’t retaliate then it shall appear weak yet again said former Pakistani Ambassador, Husain Haqqani.
As of now, Pakistan can be expected to adopt the same strategy which it had adopted with respect to Bharat after the Balakot Surgical Strike. In another words, tokenism strategy to save its own face at home.
Coming back to Iran, the agreements signed on Chabahar Port etc. highlights the nudging of Iran towards peace and economic growth. Though it remains to be seen how the radicals within Iran would ultimately play out in the geopolitical game. Overall it remains to be seen how diplomatic dialogues will shape future trajectory of this geopolitical scenario.
The post Iran Strikes Pakistan : Geopolitical Implications appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
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Who are Jaish-al-Adl?
The Sunni Salafist militant group Jaish al-Adl, also known as the “Army of Justice,” has its headquarters in the Pakistani province of Balochistan and operates in the mountainous areas, bordering Iran and Pakistan. The Sistan and Balochistan province, also called “Asli Balouchestan” is located in southeast Iran and borders the Indian Ocean and Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Iranian officials believe that the group was formed in 2012 and since then its been operating from Pakistan. It claims to be fighting for the independence of the province.
The group has involved itself in lot of violent attacks on Iran. In 2019, the group claimed responsibility for suicide bombing in which 27 people of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard were killed. Recently also, it had attacked police stations in Rask and killed 11 Iranian Police officers.
Reactions and Responses-
Pakistan said in a statement that it “Reserves the right to respond” to an unlawful and unprovoked attack. It said that the violation of the Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences. Pakistan alleged that Iranian missiles had targeted its nationals which led to the death of two children. It has also recalled its envoy from Iran.
However, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian dismissed these allegations. Mr. Abdollahian at World Economic Forum in Davos said that “We do respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan and also of Iraq but we won’t allow our national security to be compromised.”
China issued a statement pleading all parties to proceed with caution and prevent the situation from getting out of control. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a routine briefing, “We call on both sides to exercise restraint, avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension and work together to maintain peace and stability.”
India reiterated its longstanding position on terrorism saying that it has “zero tolerance” towards it. It has made it clear that Iran and Pakistan are parties to this dispute. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that, “This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. So far as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising zero tolerance towards terrorism.” He added that “We understand the actions countries take in their self defense” in a statement issued on 17th January.
Geopolitics Implications-
Iran attacked Pakistan just as Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar wrapped his visit to Tehran, a country with which Bharat has friendly relations. This indicates that nothing of significance now happens in the world without consulting Bharat. Moreover, in his visit to Tehran he had also discussed various events in West Asia and had also expressed that attacks on Bharat bound ships will not be acceptable, in Iran itself!
Then Pakistan was in process of being used again as a pawn by U.S.A. However, it got a kick from Iran- telling it that it needs to fall in line. At present, Pakistan is undergoing severe political and economic crisis and has to hold parliamentary elections in less than a month. Considering the fact that it has soured its relations with most of its neighbouring countries including Afghanistan and Iran. Its unclear how it will respond. For if it does hit back then it shall risk being drawn into Middle East conflict which it has been avoiding so far. If it doesn’t retaliate then it shall appear weak yet again said former Pakistani Ambassador, Husain Haqqani.
As of now, Pakistan can be expected to adopt the same strategy which it had adopted with respect to Bharat after the Balakot Surgical Strike. In another words, tokenism strategy to save its own face at home.
Coming back to Iran, the agreements signed on Chabahar Port etc. highlights the nudging of Iran towards peace and economic growth. Though it remains to be seen how the radicals within Iran would ultimately play out in the geopolitical game. Overall it remains to be seen how diplomatic dialogues will shape future trajectory of this geopolitical scenario.
The post Iran Strikes Pakistan : Geopolitical Implications appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
Continue reading...