Yashaswani Chauhan, Pune
Iran launched airstrikes targeting bases linked to the Sunni militant group, Jaish- al Adl, within Pakistan territory. The unprovoked violation of Pakistan’s airspace occurred amid rising tensions in the region, marked by Iran’s recent strikes in Iraq and Syria. The Foreign Office of Pakistan labeled the attack as a violation of sovereignty. The strikes led to casualties, including the deaths of two children and injuries to three others.
Pakistan asked the Iranian charge d’affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express its strongest condemnation of the violation. The Foreign Office emphasized that the illegal act took place despite established communication channels between the two nations, heightening concerns over bilateral trust and confidence. Pakistan warned that the responsibility for the consequences would squarely lie with Iran.
Jaish al-Adl, known as the “Army of Justice”, has been a focal point of the region’s security concerns since its founding in 2012. While Iran has previously engaged in border operations against militants, a direct missile-and-drone attack on Pakistan territory marks an unprecedented escalation.
This incident followed a series of Iranian reprisal attacks in Syria and Iraq, triggered by a double suicide bombing in Kerman on January 3, claimed by the Islamic State. The broader regional context includes Houthi rebels’ attacks on Red Sea shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, prompting airstrikes by the US and allies in Yemen.
In the aftermath of heightened tensions resulting from these military actions, both Iran and Pakistan are expressing a commitment to finding diplomatic solutions and de-escalating the situation. The hope is that both nations can find common ground, address grievances, and foster a stable and cooperative relationship. The incident has wider implications for regional stability, highlighted by the recent Biden administration’s plans to redesignate the Houthi rebels as specially designated global terrorists. The international community closely watches these developments, as Pakistan and Iran navigate through this challenging phase, grappling with the aftermath of a provocative violation that may have far-reaching consequences.