Latest news with #Baloch
Memri
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Memri
Want Real Regime Change In Iran? Support The Minorities First
By Pel Berwari* If the world, especially the U.S. and Israel, wants real change in Iran, they need to stop relying on old exiled politicians and start supporting the people who are already resisting the regime on the ground: Iran's ethnic minorities or, better yet, the non-Persian ethnic groups. (Source: CIA) Who Are These Minorities/Non-Persian Ethnic Groups? Iran is not just Persians. It is made up of many other peoples, including Kurds in the west, Baloch in the southeast, Ahwazi Arabs in the south, Azeris in the northwest, and Turkmen in the northeast. These groups make up 50 percent of Iran's population and have been oppressed for decades, having no rights to speak their language, no political power, and often being targeted with violence by the regime. Why They Matter They have suffered the most under the regime, so they are the most motivated to fight back. They live in the border regions, which makes it easier for them to connect with neighboring countries and resist Tehran's control. They trust neither the Shah nor the Islamic Republic – they have been betrayed by both in the past. What Is Not Working The West keeps listening to Persian elites in exile – especially monarchists like Reza Pahlavi, the Shah's son. But these people have zero power inside Iran and no support from minorities, who remember how badly the Shah treated them. Whenever movements like Jin, Jiyan, Azadî ("Woman, Life, Freedom"), which started from the Kurdish community, rise up, the moment someone tries to turn it into a pro-Shah campaign, people leave the streets. They have seen this trick before. What Should Be Done? Support real grassroots movements especially those led by Kurds, Baloch, Arabs, and others. Give them security guarantees – because last time they trusted outside powers or the Shah, they were betrayed and slaughtered. Push for federalism or local autonomy, not another centralized Persian dictatorship. The Bottom Line If you want real regime change in Iran, stop pretending the exiled elite will save the country. The real opposition is already inside Iran and it is the minorities. Support them, and you support freedom. Ignore them, and you are just repeating history. They should suffocate the regime, not support it by the controlled opposition of the shah. *Pel Berwari is a Kurdish activist based in Kurdistan.
News18
17 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Spooked Asim Munir Confides In Trump His Fear Of A Baloch Uprising Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Last Updated: Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir confided in Donald Trump that he fears rebel groups in both Iran and Pakistan could unite amid Iran-Israel war. Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir appeared spooked about prospects of an uprising led by separatist and jihadist militants along the Pakistan-Iran border amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and has confided in US President Donald Trump of his fears, a report by news agency Reuters said. Munir met US President Donald Trump this week in the White House. The report by Reuters pointed out that anti-Iranian and anti-Pakistan outfits operate on both sides of the 560-mile (900km) long border. As Israel bombs Iran's nuclear program, its officials have repeatedly indicated that they are seeking to destabilize the Iranian government or see it toppled. 'They're not happy about anything," Donald Trump said, referring to Pakistan's views on the Israel-Iran conflict. He made the comments following a Wednesday lunch at the White House with Munir, who on May 27 had met Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. As well as worrying about chaos spilling over from Iran, Pakistan is concerned about the precedent set by Israel of attacking the nuclear installations of another country. India recently targeted Pakistani airbases after Pakistani Army intervened on behalf of terrorists when India struck their hideouts deep inside Pakistan to retaliate against the killing of innocent civilians in April 22 in Pahalgam. Pakistan has condemned Israel's attack on Iran as a violation of international law. 'This is for us a very serious issue what is happening in our brotherly country of Iran. It imperils the entire regional security structures, it impacts us deeply," Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Thursday. Some of the militant groups on the border have welcomed the upheaval. Jaish al-Adl (JaA), an Iranian jihadist group formed from ethnic Baloch and Sunni Muslim minorities and which operates from Pakistan, said Israel's conflict with Iran was a great opportunity. 'Jaish al-Adl extends the hand of brotherhood and friendship to all the people of Iran and calls on all people, especially the people of Baluchistan, as well as the armed forces, to join the ranks of the Resistance," the group said in a statement on June 13, according to the news agency. Conversely, Pakistan fears that separatist militants from its own Baloch minority, which are based in Iran, will also seek to step up attacks. 'There's a fear of ungoverned spaces, which would be fertile ground for terrorist groups," said Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington, was quoted as saying by the news agency. Countries surrounding Pakistan face border issues because of Pakistan's support to an array of terrorist groups which pose a threat to the safety and security of those countries. Pakistan's support for terror groups, who also pose a threat to Islamabad itself, is a cause for concern for India, Iran and Afghanistan. The Iran-Pakistan border region is populated with ethnic Baloch, a minority in both countries who have long complained about discrimination and launched separatist movements. On Pakistan's side, the region is a province called Balochistan and in Iran it is Sistan-Balochistan. Pakistan and Iran had even traded air strikes last year, accusing each other of harboring Baloch militants. China has also said that it is deeply concerned about the security situation in Balochistan, with the area being a focus of Beijing's multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment program in Pakistan, centred on the new Chinese-run port of Gwadar. Baloch militant groups in Pakistan have previously targeted Chinese personnel and projects. On Iranian side of the border, Tehran has at different times accused Pakistan, Gulf nations, Israel and the United States of backing the anti-Iran Baloch groups. Simbal Khan, an analyst based in Islamabad, told the news agency that different Baloch groups could morph into a 'greater Baluchistan" movement which seeks to carve out a new nation from the Baluch areas of Pakistan and Iran. 'They're all going to fight together if this blows up," said Khan. First Published: June 19, 2025, 23:36 IST News world Spooked Asim Munir Confides In Trump His Fear Of A Baloch Uprising Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Amid Iran-Israel war, Pakistan fears Baloch militants rise; Asim Munir raises alarm with Donald Trump
Islamabad has expressed concerns about anti-Pakistan outfits on the border between Iran and Pakistan amid fears of the Iranian regime being destabilised during its escalating conflict with Israel, reported news agency Reuters. Follow LIVE updates on the Israel-Iran conflict here During a meeting between Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, the former reportedly indicated that the country was worried about separatist and Jihadist elements on the Pakistan-Iran border taking advantage of the conflict with Israel. Anti-Iranian and anti-Pakistan outfits operate on both sides of the 900-km-long border. Israel, during its military campaign, has indicated that they are seeking to ensure the collapse of the Iranian government. Pakistan has condemned Israel's attack on Iran as a violation of international law. Also Read: Donald Trump steps back from taking credit for India-Pakistan ceasefire: 'Two very smart leaders decided' Jaish al-Adl (JaA), an Iranian jihadist group formed from ethnic Baloch and Sunni Muslim minorities and which operates from Pakistan, said Israel's conflict with Iran was a great opportunity. 'Jaish al-Adl extends the hand of brotherhood and friendship to all the people of Iran and calls on all people, especially the people of Baluchistan, as well as the armed forces, to join the ranks of the Resistance,' the group said in a statement on June 13. Pakistan also fears that separatist militants from its own Baloch minority, which are based in Iran, will seek to escalate attacks. 'There's a fear of ungoverned spaces, which would be fertile ground for terrorist groups,' Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington to Reuters. Also Read: Shashi Tharoor's message to US as Donald Trump hosts Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir at White House Simbal Khan, an analyst based in Islamabad, said the different Baloch groups could morph into a 'greater Balochistan' movement which seeks to carve out a new nation from the Baloch areas of Pakistan and Iran. 'They're all going to fight together if this blows up,' said Khan. Further, Pakistan is also concerned about the precedent set by Israel in attacking nuclear establishments in Iran, a month after India and Pakistan also engaged in a four-day conflict following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam attack, reported Reuters. After his meeting on Wednesday with Asim Munir, Trump said about Pakistan's views on the Israel-Iran conflict, 'They're not happy about anything.' Pakistan's military said on Thursday that they had discussed Iran with the US, "with both leaders emphasising the importance of resolution of the conflict'. 'This is for us a very serious issue, what is happening in our brotherly country of Iran. It imperils the entire regional security structures, it impacts us deeply,' Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Thursday. '
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
How India's alliance with Armenia is paying dividends amid Iran-Israel crisis
Amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, the Indian Embassy in Tehran on Tuesday helped at least 110 stranded students leave the country, facilitating their passage into Armenia through the Nurduz-Agarak border crossing. A special flight carrying evacuees from Yerevan will land in New Delhi in the early hours of Thursday. Challenge of evacuation With Iranian airspace shut down indefinitely, evacuations from the country will have to be facilitated through its land borders. This is a particular challenge for India, which shares rather tenuous relations with a few of Iran's neighbours, especially after Operation Sindoor. Pakistan remains New Delhi's primary geopolitical rival, with whom it only recently had a military conflagration. As such, the border between Iran and Pakistan in the Baloch homeland remains shut for Indian evacuees. As are Iran's borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan, both of whom professed overt support for Islamabad during Operation Sindoor. New Delhi's relations with Baku and Istanbul have taken a nosedive in recent weeks. On the other hand, India does not have official ties with the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan (to Iran's east) at all. This leaves three countries through which Indians can theoretically be evacuated — Turkmenistan, Iraq, and Armenia. Iran's border with Turkmenistan is sparsely populated, especially on the Iranian side, meaning there are significant logistical challenges facilitating evacuations through this frontier. The border with Iraq, on the other hand, lies directly in the line of fire between Iran and Israel. While it remains open at the moment, most of Iraq's airports are shut due to the conflict. The 44-km-long Iran-Armenia border is thus the most viable option for Indian evacuees, especially since Tehran and the Nurduz-Agarak crossing, some 730 km apart, are well connected by a major highway. Basis of Delhi-Yerevan ties It is in this context that years of Indian diplomatic efforts vis-à-vis Armenia are now paying dividends. While India's ties with Armenia date back millenia, the present relationship is a product of a few crucial geopolitical considerations. * With Turkey and Pakistan firmly in the Azeri camp, India has been a staunch backer of Armenia in its lingering conflict with Azerbaijan, primarily over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. In recent years, New Delhi has eclipsed even Russia as Armenia's biggest military supplier: a $250 million deal in 2022 saw India supplying Armenia with PINAKA multi-barrel rocket launchers, Akash-1S air defense system, and other armaments. * Yerevan has supported New Delhi's positions in international fora. Most notably, Armenia has publicly endorsed India's position on resolving the Kashmir issue on a bilateral basis (with Pakistan), and supports India's aspiration for a permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council. * Located in the southern Caucasus, Armenia is a crucial cog of the International North-South Transport Corridor, which aims to connect India to Europe through Armenia and Iran. Developing this route is a major geopolitical objective for New Delhi, one which would provide significant stimulus to its economy and establish India as a major player in the region.
Memri
2 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Baloch Support For Israel's Preemptive Strike Against The Ayatollah's Regime
On June 15, 2025, the secular Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), headed by the renowned Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri, published a statement on Israel's preemptive strike against Iran. In the statement, the FBM stressed: "The way in which Israel is resisting the Iranian state's expansionism and terrorism is commendable. It is a clear fact that Israel is not an enemy of the Baloch nation. On the contrary, extremist, and fundamentalist states like Iran and Pakistan are common enemies of both Israel and the Baloch people." It then added: "The Baloch nation is fighting a battle for survival against these very states, and Israel's decisive military actions against the Iranian regime are not only encouraging but also represent a positive sign for the Baloch people, who have long suffered under Iranian colonialism."[1] Baloch activist holding the flags of Balochistan and of Israel Baloch Scholar Warns Against The Manipulation Of Public Sentiment Through Religious Rhetoric By The Ayatollah's Regime In addition, a prominent Sunni scholar in Iranian-occupied Balochistan, Maulana Abdul Ghaffar Naqshbandi, has strongly criticized attempts to portray the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel as war between Islam and unbelievers, calling such narratives misleading and dangerous.[2] In a public statement shared on the social media platform X, Maulana Naqshbandi declared that the Iran-Israel conflict has no connection to Islam, and warned religious scholars and the broader Sunni community against falling for sectarian propaganda. "Labelling this geopolitical conflict as a war between Islam and Kufr [unbelief] is a complete distortion of reality," he wrote. "This narrative misguides the masses and has no basis in Islamic teachings." The Baloch cleric, who is known for his vocal opposition to Tehran's sectarian policies and support for human rights in Balochistan, cautioned the Baloch people to be wary of efforts to manipulate public sentiment through religious rhetoric. Maulana Naqshbandi went on to criticize Iran's clerical regime, stating that it is now suffering the consequences of its own long-standing policies of fostering extremist groups. "The very forces the Iranian regime empowered for years are now contributing to regional instability and backfiring," he said. He then condemned the regime's use of sectarian emotions to divert attention from its failures.
