- By James Kravitz
- (General Dispatch) – In the city of Saravan protesters were injured and others lost their lives, as they raised their voices against the governor, disagreeing with the government of Iran, which for the most part maintains a Shiite theocracy.
- Saravan is located near the border with Pakistan and Afghanistan, its Baloch population is predominantly Sunni Muslim, the Baloch believe their territory was unfairly divided and hope to regain it.
- The territory is a conflict zone as different countries want to take over the mineral deposits and own important port cities. The attacks generated by the Baluchis come with varying intensity in Pakistan and will go on for decades.
- Balochistan is one of the provinces where Balochis have made attacks on Iranian forces and this is a very tense area. Iran blames the Pakistanis for letting the Balochis pass through, but when they are found they are killed by Iranian forces.
- The UN has spoken out about these events and issued a statement saying that this ethnic group has been persecuted and disappeared by Pakistani forces in a brutal manner.
- Balochis have been facing extreme poverty so they see a way to survive by getting gasoline in Iran and smuggling it across the border to earn income to support their families; this practice is allowed in Sistan-Balochistan.
- The IRGC has closed the border between Sistan and Balochistan in order to impose its rule over the area, according to a statement they fired on some Baloch who were transporting fuel, killing at least 8 people who were protesting the closure.
- According to the MEK, the Balochis rose up because of the closure of the IRGC where their commanders profit from the passage of fuel, these prevented the passage of the Balochis triggering a strong protest. It is estimated that up to this date 40 people have been killed.
Adittional Information:
Breitbart: Iran: Troops Slaughter Protesters in Saravan Border Region
HRW: Iran: Killings Near Pakistani Border
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