Gunmen attack border guards in southeastern Iran, killing three
- Gunmen attacked a border regiment vehicle in Mirjaveh county, killing three border guards and wounding a civilian.
- The militant group Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack, which highlights ongoing tensions in the region.
- Sistan and Baluchistan province has a history of violence and is one of the least developed areas in Iran.
On Thursday, gunmen attacked a border regiment vehicle in Mirjaveh county, located in the southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province of Iran, resulting in the deaths of three border guards and injuries to one civilian. The attack was carried out by assailants in a car, who opened fire on the vehicle near the Pakistani border. The militant group Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for this violent act, which underscores the ongoing tensions in the region. Sistan and Baluchistan province has a history of violence, often linked to militant groups and drug smuggling activities. The area is predominantly inhabited by the ethnic Baluch minority, who have long sought greater rights and recognition from the Iranian government, which is predominantly Shiite Muslim. This ethnic and religious divide has contributed to strained relations between the local population and the Iranian authorities. In recent months, the province has witnessed a surge in violence, with significant casualties among Iranian security forces. In April, clashes resulted in the deaths of at least 22 policemen, highlighting the persistent security challenges faced by the Iranian government in this region. The December attack on a police station, which claimed nearly a dozen officers' lives, further illustrates the volatility of the area. The socio-economic conditions in Sistan and Baluchistan are dire, making it one of the least developed regions in Iran. The combination of underdevelopment, ethnic tensions, and militant activity poses a significant challenge to stability and security in southeastern Iran, raising concerns about the potential for further violence in the future.