Iran-Pakistan Military Strikes

Iran-Pakistan Military Strikes

GS-I, II, III: Geography, International Relations, Internal Security

(UPSC/State PSC)

Important for Prelims

Iran-Pakistan missile attacks, Balochistan province, terrorist group Jaish al-Adl, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Israel war, border dispute between Iran and Pakistan.

Important for Mains

Background of Iran's air strikes - instability in West Asia, impact of Iran's air strikes on India, border dispute between Iran and Pakistan, importance of Balochistan for Pakistan, Conclusion.

Jan. 19, 2024

Why in News:

  • Recently, Iran has launched missile attacks on targets in Pakistan and Iraq, which have been strongly condemned by both the US and India.

Causes of Airstrike:

  • Iran has called the missile attacks a response to terrorist attacks within its territory, the most recent of which are the bombings.
  • Iran attacked the Kurdistan region in Iraq, while the target in Pakistan was a base of Sunni Muslim militant group Jaish al-Adl in Baluchistan province, which borders the Iranian border. These attacks were carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
  • According to Iran, terrorist groups were responsible for the suicide bombing, which killed 84 people at a memorial procession for Qassem Soleimani.
  • The missile attacks on Pakistani targets were also in response to attacks on an Iranian police station in the south-eastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan.

About the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC):

  • Established after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) is the fighting force for Iran on the religious, political and economic fronts.

About Jaish al-Adl:

  • Jaish al-Adl is a Sunni terrorist organization. It was established in 2012.
  • This organization is also known as “Army of Justice”. It has a significant presence in Pakistan.
  • The group has been accused of involvement in ambushes, assassinations, assaults, hit-and-runs, and kidnappings of civilians and government officials in Iran since 2013.

Pakistan's response:

  • As a reaction to the Iranian attacks, Pakistan has expelled the Iranian ambassador and also recalled its ambassador from Tehran.
  • In response to the Iranian attacks, Pakistani fighter jets attacked seven targets inside Iran with precision-guided air-to-ground munitions.
  • The target was the Balochistan-centric terrorist organization Balochistan Liberation Force, which is fighting for the liberation of Balochistan.
  • According to Pakistan, Iranian territory is being used by Baloch insurgents to attack targets in Pakistan and Iran has not taken action against them despite repeated requests.

Background of Iran air strikes: Instability in West Asia

  • Israel War: Since the beginning of the war in Israel, Iran has been indirectly participating in the crisis through its proxies of Hezbollah and the Houthis.
  • Iran's role: Publicly the Iranians talk about spreading tension but the security apparatus in the nation is trying to put pressure on Israel and its allies.
  • In addition to its proxies in Lebanon and Gaza, Iran is using the services of the Houthis to destabilize the Red Sea region.
  • In recent days, Iran-allied terrorist groups have attacked Western targets in Iraq, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Impacts of Iran's airstrikes:

  • Escalation of Tensions: The central Asian region has remained peaceful since the conclusion of the Afghan civil war. The situation could change soon.
  • Spread of War in central Asia: Global commentators believe that the devastating war in Gaza could become a broader and deadlier regional conflict.
  • Beginning of Proxy war: The strikes by Iran may start a proxy war between Iran on one side and US and its allies on the other.
  • Continuation of American troops: The attack could prompt American troops stationed in Iraq to continue their presence.
  • Resurgence of Kurdish Militia: The attack on Kurdish territory could further fuel tensions between Kurds and Iranians.
  • Instability in Pakistan: Western policymakers would not like to see instability in an already volatile nuclear-armed Pakistan. They would want a stable Pakistan in their own interests.
  • Global Financial Situation: The financial situation in the world may further degrade owing to the clashes between Iran and Pakistan.

Impact of these airstrikes on India:

  • Affects Chabahar Project: The Chabahar port project located in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province may be affected due to the instability.
  • Spillover Effect: The clashes between Iran and Pakistan may escalate into a war, and may have a spillover effect in the South Asia region.
  • India’s Interests in Afghanistan: The clashes may spread to Afghanistan where India has stakes in developmental projects.
  • Security Crisis in Pakistan: India would not want nuclear weapons to proliferate into the hands of non-state actors in case the state of Pakistan collapses.
  • Increase in Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistan may escalate militancy in Jammu and Kashmir in order to divert attention of its citizens during election year.

About Balochistan:

  • Balochistan is a region that spans across the countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. The ethnic Baloch people inhabit this region.
  • The region of Balochistan in Pakistan is a vast territory which is known for its untapped mineral wealth, especially oil and gas deposits.
  • The region of Balochistan is located along the Gulf of Oman. Mountains and desert make up the majority of the region’s terrain. Quetta is its capital.
  • To the east and southeast part of Balochistan lies Sulaiman Range, which joins the Central Brahui Range near Quetta, and to the north and northwest of the region is the Toba Kakar Range.
  • The Central Makran Range and the Makran Coast Range to the south divides the coastal plain from the rest of the plateau.
  • Rivers: Famous rivers in Balochistan include Bolan, Zhob, Hingol, Nari, Porali, Kud, Dasht etc.
  • Mountain Pass: Mountain passes in Balochistan region include Bolan pass, Khojak pass, Lak pass, Harnai pass, Gonshero pass etc.

Importance of Balochistan for Pakistan:

  • Balochistan is part of the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which spans from Xinjiang in China to Gwadar in Pakistan’s Balochistan.
  • China has developed many mining projects and built an international airport and a port in the province’s southern coastal town of Gwadar.
  • The Pakistani government has a large stake in the region as Balochistan has some of the world’s largest potential sites for copper and gold.

Conclusion:

The border clashes between Iran and Pakistan must not be allowed to escalate as it will create another war frontier in Asia.

Start of war in this region could not only hamper peace, it may further create economic problems for the whole world.

 

 

Source: The Hindu

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Mains Question:

Examine the economic-political implications of the air strikes in Balochistan region of Iran and Pakistan.