New Conflict Makes Middle East Situation Complicated

Apart from the Israel-Hamas war, the embers of the old conflict in the Middle East are now heating up again. Some have become new conflicts.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Konflik Baru Perkeruh Situasi Timur Tengah

AP PHOTO/ANJUM NAVEED

Members of the Muslim Student Movement Talba Mahaz Pakistan staged a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan on Thursday (18/1/2024) regarding the Iranian attack on the Pakistan-Iran border area. They also carried banners in Urdu with the message "Oppose Iran's attack on Pakistan and the vile alliance between India, Iran, and Israel and demonstrate for the longevity of Pakistan."

ISLAMABAD, THURSDAY — The raging conflict in the Middle East is heating up. In addition to the Israel-Hamas war that has spread to Lebanon and has implications for the Red Sea and Yemen, conflict is now brewing between Iran and Pakistan. On Thursday morning (18/1/2024), the Pakistani Air Force attacked the positions of Baloch separatist groups hiding in Iran. The armed group has repeatedly launched attacks against Pakistani security forces.

After the attack on a Baluch group's position, the Pakistani Armed Forces are on high alert. The interim Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaarul-Haq Kakar, has shortened his presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to return to Pakistan. Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, has also cut short his visit to Uganda.

Also read: Pakistan hits back at Iran

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement regarding the attack on the Baloch group. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attack as a precise, coordinated, and specifically targeted military attack. The attack was based on credible intelligence information to prevent large-scale terrorist activities.

AP PHOTO/ANJUM NAVEED

Police officers conducted a search of a car at the main entrance gate of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, Pakistan on Thursday (18/1/2024).

"This action is a manifestation of Pakistan's firm determination to protect and defend its national security from all threats," said the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Pakistan named the military operation Marg Bar Sarmachar”, which can be interpreted as ‘death to guerrillas’. In Iranian Farsi, marg bar means ‘death to’.

This term is a famous saying in Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 which refers to the United States and Israel. In the local Baluch language, sarmachar means ‘guerrilla’ and is used by armed groups operating in the cross-border areas of Iran and Pakistan.

Deputy Governor of Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran, Ali Reza Marhamati, stated that the Pakistani attack resulted in the death of nine people. According to him, the victims included three women, four children, and two men near the city of Saravan. The city is located on the border of Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

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A Pakistani citizen reads the front page of a morning newspaper covering the Iran attack at a kiosk in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Thursday (18/1/2024).

After the attack, Iran called in Pakistan's Counselor in Iran. Earlier, Pakistan had withdrawn its ambassador from Iran following the attack last Tuesday. As previously reported, on Tuesday (16/1/2024), Iran bombed the position of militant group Jaish al-Adl, who were hiding on the Pakistan border.

Also read: When Pakistan-Iran Must Work Together to "Manage" the Taliban

An attack on the armed groups' positions has the potential to greatly endanger the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

Hiding place

Until now, Iran and Pakistan have been accusing each other of providing shelter for armed groups in their respective territories. The province of Baluchistan in Pakistan and two provinces in Iran, Baluchestan and Sistan, which are neighboring, are often haunted by small-scale rebellions. In Iran, the nationalist group Baluchistan has been carrying out the rebellion for more than two decades.

AFP/BANARAS KHAN

Commuters drive along the road in the Panjgur District of Baluchistan Province on Wednesday (17/1/2024). Pakistan withdrew its ambassador from Iran on Wednesday (17/1/2024) and banned Tehran's envoy from returning to Islamabad following an Iranian airstrike that killed two children in the western part of the country on Tuesday (16/1/2024).

Meanwhile, Pakistan is suspected to be a hiding location for the Jaish al-Adl group. The group is allegedly responsible for attacking the police station in Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran, which killed 11 Iranian police officers and injured several others.

Also read: Bomb Explosion at Iranian Mosque Threatens to Expand Escalation of Conflict in the Middle East

As a response, Iran attacked the Green Hill area in Baluchistan, Pakistan last Tuesday. The area is believed to be one of the hiding locations for Jaish al-Adl, a separatist group targeted by Iran.

This group grew out of the extremist group known as Jundallah. The group was once suspected of having links to Al Qaeda. Jaish al-Adl has long been suspected of operating in Pakistan. They often attack Iranian security forces.

AFP/BANARAS KHAN

A car left the central district hospital (DHQ) in Panjgur city, Baluchistan Province, Pakistan, where the victims of Iran's air strikes were transferred on Wednesday (17/1/2024).

For a long time, the hunt for both armed groups has aroused suspicion between Iran and Pakistan. Currently, this hunt is causing new concerns that the unrest in the Middle East will spread to other regions.

The Baluch Liberation Army - an ethnic separatist group operating since 2000 - has stated that they will retaliate against Pakistan's attack. The group claims that Pakistan's attack has resulted in the deaths of their civilians.

Also read: Iran Can Now Make Dozens of Nuclear Bombs

The Baluch community advocacy group, HalVash, has shared online images showing the remnants of ammunition used in the attack. They stated that several homes belonging to residents in Saravan were destroyed. Additionally, they shared a video depicting a mud-walled building collapsing and smoke rising after the attack.

AFP/BANARAS KHAN

Motorcyclists passing by a high school in Panjgur District, Balochistan Province, Pakistan, where the victims of Iran's air strikes were relocated, on Wednesday (17/1/2024).

China, a crucial partner to both Iran and Pakistan, is urging both countries to exercise restraint. Beijing is a significant regional player and has major development projects in the Gwadar Port in Baluchistan province, Pakistan, under the Belt and Road initiative.

"China sincerely hopes that both parties can remain calm and exercise restraint, as well as avoid escalating tensions," said Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Mao Ning.

Continue to fluctuate

Conflict between countries in the Middle East region continues to stir up unrest. The current Israel-Hamas war has also involved Hezbollah and Houthi groups. Lebanon is now an area of "war" between Israel and Hezbollah.

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A member of the Houthi group carrying a number of weapons rode on an open truck near the city of Sana'a, Yemen, on Sunday (14/1/2024).

The conflict in Gaza has also affected the Red Sea. The Houthi group, which now controls Yemen, has attacked several merchant ships. They claim the attack is meant to pressure Israel's economy. The Houthi reaffirmed that the attack is part of their support for Hamas.

Also read: NIIS Claims Twin Suicide Bomb Attacks in Iran

The Houthi attack on trade routes in the Red Sea has been responded to by the United States and Britain with air strikes on Houthi military sites in Yemen. In the latest attack, the US destroyed 14 Houthi missile sites.

Previously, Iran carried out an airstrike on Monday night against Iraq and Syria. The attack was a response to the twin bombing raid in commemoration of the death of General Qassem Suleimani, former Commander of the Quds Brigade in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The bombing raid killed 90 people. Initially, Iran suspected that the bombing was orchestrated by the US and Israel. However, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) declared that they were responsible for the suicide bombing. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)