Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar Explained

Partof:the 2024 Iran–Pakistan border skirmishes and insurgency in Balochistan
Type:Air strikes and missile strikes
Location:Saravan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran
Target: BLA and BLF militant groups
Date:18 January 2024
Time:04:05 IRST[1]
Casualties:9 people killed, several injured

On 18 January 2024, Pakistan launched a series of air and artillery strikes inside Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province, targeting Baloch separatist groups, codenamed Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar by Pakistan. The attack was launched in response to the Iranian missile strikes in Pakistan's Balochistan province, one day earlier.[2] [3]

Iran said that nine foreign nationals were killed in the attack. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) confirmed that its members were among those killed.[4] [5]

This attack marked the first known instance of a foreign country launching an attack on Iranian soil since the end of the Iran–Iraq War in 1988.

Etymology

Marg Bar Sarmachar means "death to insurgents". Marg Bar means "death to" in the Persian language, commonly used in the Iranian slogan Marg Bar Amrika. Sarmachar means "insurgents" or "guerrilla" in Balochi language; it is the term used by Baloch militants to identify its fighters.[6]

Background

See main article: 2024 Iranian missile strikes in Pakistan. According to Pakistan, the attack was launched in retaliation for a missile strike carried out by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the border area of Pakistan's Balochistan province. The Iranian strike allegedly targeted the Jaish ul-Adl militant group on 16 January 2024, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuring four people, as reported by Pakistan.[7]

Attack

At 04:05 IRST, the Pakistani Air Force and Army launched an attack using drones, multiple rocket launchers, loitering munitions, and stand-off weapons at seven separate locations of Baloch separatist groups in the Iranian city of Saravan in Sistan and Baluchestan province.[8] [9] Iran said that nine people were killed during the attack, including four children, three women, and two men, who were non-Iranians.[10]

Sources in the Pakistani military said that its aircraft and drones penetrated approximately 12 miles (20 km) into Iranian territory to target the militant hideouts.[11] [12] [13]

Aftermath

The Balochistan Liberation Army acknowledged the deaths of its people in the operation and vowed "revenge" against the Pakistani state.[14]

On 27 January, nine Pakistanis were killed by unknown assailants in Saravan.

On 30 January, the BLA claimed responsibility for a rocket and gun attack on Pakistani security forces in Machh, Balochistan Province that left a police officer and six attackers dead and 15 security officers injured.[15]

Reactions

Pakistan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Pakistan "undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts" that killed "a number of terrorists" in an operation codenamed "Marg Bar Sarmachar",[16] adding that the attacks were launched due to "lack of action" by Iran regarding the presence of "Pakistani origin terrorists" on its soil.[17] According to the Pakistani military's Inter-Services Public Relations, the targeted hideouts were being used by militants from the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Baluch Liberation Front (BLF), including, among others, Dosta alias chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham, and Wazir alias Wazi.[18]

Following the attack, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar cut short his attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and returned home[19] to convene an emergency meeting of the National Security Council on 19 January.[20] Foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, who was on a visit to Uganda, also cut short his visit and returned to Pakistan.[21]

On 19 January Anwaar ul Haq Kakar announced that normal diplomatic relations with Iran had been restored, following a foreign ministry statement that said that there was agreement to de-escalate the conflict.[22]

Iran

The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on its territory and summoned the Pakistani chargé d'affaires to provide an explanation about the incident.[23]

The Iranian government was heavily criticized on social media for its weak response against the attacks, its description of the dead as non-Iranians and initial downplaying of the incident.[24]

On 29 January, foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Pakistan as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions following the attacks.[25]

Other countries

Supranational organizations

The bloc expressed "utmost concern" over the Pakistani attack as well as the preceding Iranian attack, saying that "they violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries" and produce "a destabilising effect on the region."[30]

Secretary-General António Guterres stated he was "deeply concerned about the recent exchange of military strikes" and called on both countries to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions.[31]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Seven killed in Pakistan attack on southeastern Iran . 18 January 2024 . 18 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118075938/https://en.irna.ir/news/85358011/Seven-killed-in-Pakistan-attack-on-southeastern-Iran . live .
  2. News: Masood . Salman . Pakistan Retaliates With Strikes Inside Iran as Tensions Spill Over . 18 January 2024 . The New York Times . 18 January 2024 . 18 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118050058/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/17/world/asia/pakistan-iran-strike.html . live .
  3. News: Pakistan launches retaliatory airstrikes in Iran after an earlier attack by Tehran, killing 9 people . 18 January 2024 . Associated Press . The Baluch Liberation Army, an ethnic separatist group that's operated in the region since 2000, said in a statement the strikes targeted and killed its people . 18 January 2024 . 19 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119001931/https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-iran-air-force-strikes-638f2ee4ccfb1a56d26e8f28f7e91699 . live .
  4. News: Pakistan Launches Retaliatory Airstrikes in Iran After an Earlier Attack by Tehran, Killing 9 People . 18 January 2024 . US News . 2024-01-18 . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118110143/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-01-18/pakistan-air-force-carries-out-retaliatory-strikes-in-iran-targeting-pakistani-insurgents . live .
  5. News: Pakistan Unleashes Retaliatory Strikes in Iran, Killing Nine . 18 January 2024 . The Daily Beast . The Baluch Liberation Army, an ethnic separatist group, said the strikes had killed its members. "Pakistan will have to pay a price for it," the organization said . 18 January 2024 . 19 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119001926/https://www.thedailybeast.com/pakistan-unleashes-retaliatory-strikes-in-iran-killing-nine . live .
  6. Web site: Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar explained: Why are Iran, Pakistan striking each other . 2024-01-21 . India Today . 18 January 2024 . en . 2024-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119134816/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/operation-marg-bar-sarmachar-explained-iran-pakistan-are-striking-each-othe-2490521-2024-01-18 . live .
  7. Web site: Pakistan condemns deadly Iranian missile strike on its territory as tensions spike across region . CNN . 17 January 2024 . 18 January 2024 . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117221130/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/17/middleeast/iran-missile-attack-pakistan-intl-hnk/index.html . live .
  8. Web site: Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan . 2024-01-18 . ispr.gov.pk . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118092750/https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=6728 . live .
  9. Web site: Pakistan strikes 'seven locations' of BLA terror group inside Iran. Baba. Umar. Pakistan strikes 'seven locations' of BLA terror group inside Iran. 2024-01-18. 2024-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20240118065026/https://www.trtworld.com/asia/pakistan-strikes-seven-locations-of-bla-terror-group-inside-iran-16691240. live.
  10. News: Shahzad . Asif . Naiyyar Peshimam . Gibran . Pakistan strikes inside Iran against militant targets, stokes regional tension . 18 January 2024 . Reuters . 18 January 2024 . 18 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118053040/https://www.reuters.com/world/pakistan-has-conducted-strikes-inside-iran-afp-report-2024-01-18/ . live .
  11. Web site: China says it's willing to de-escalate situation between Pakistan, Iran . 18 January 2024 . 28 January 2024 . 28 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240128100919/https://www.nation.com.pk/18-Jan-2024/china-says-it-s-willing-to-de-escalate-situation-between-pakistan-iran . live .
  12. Web site: Pakistani military: air strikes were applied inside Iran about 20 km from border . 18 January 2024 . 28 January 2024 . 28 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240128171315/https://www.silkway.news/pakistani-military-air-strikes-were-130797/ . live .
  13. Web site: China says it's willing to de-escalate situation between Pakistan, Iran . 18 January 2024 . 28 January 2024 . 19 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119092345/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-says-it-s-willing-to-de-escalate-situation-between-pakistan-iran/3112336 . live .
  14. Web site: 'We announce war on Pakistan': Who are the Baloch separatists, targeted in Iran . 2024-01-23 . India Today . 18 January 2024 . en . 23 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240123050534/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-strikes-iran-balochistan-liberation-separatists-militant-human-rights-abuses-chine-cpec-2490370-2024-01-18 . live .
  15. Web site: Officials say 1 policeman, 6 insurgents killed as rebels launch rocket attacks in southwest Pakistan . 2024-01-30 . Associated Press . 30 January 2024 . en . 30 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240130075533/https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-insurgents-rocket-attack-baluchistan-9f900ff2fa3fd75b68182dd064ab5759 . live .
  16. Web site: Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar . 2024-01-18 . mofa.gov.pk . en . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118050312/https://mofa.gov.pk/press-releases/operation-marg-bar-sarmachar . live .
  17. Web site: Hussain . Abid . Pakistan launches military strikes on Iran in response to bombing . 2024-01-18 . Al Jazeera . en . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118075110/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/18/pakistan-launches-precise-military-strikes-on-iran-in-response-to-bombing . live .
  18. Web site: Pakistan Army used killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions to target terrorist hideouts in Iran: ISPR . 2024-01-18 . Geo TV . en . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118095452/https://www.geo.tv/latest/527481-pakistan-army-used-killer-drones-rockets-loitering-munitions-to-target-terrorist-hideouts-in-iran-ispr . live .
  19. Web site: Pakistani retaliatory strikes in Iran kill at least 9, raising tensions along border . 2024-01-18 . Associated Press . 18 January 2024 . en . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118044646/https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-iran-air-force-strikes-638f2ee4ccfb1a56d26e8f28f7e91699 . live .
  20. Web site: Pakistan holds emergency security meeting after trading strikes with Iran . 2024-01-19 . France 24 . 19 January 2024 . en . 2024-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119143424/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240119-pakistan-holds-emergency-security-meeting-after-trading-strikes-with-iran . live .
  21. Web site: Pakistan carries out military strikes in Iran following deadly attack on its own soil by Tehran . 2024-01-18 . ABC7 . 18 January 2024 . en . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118170429/https://abc7.com/pakistan-iran-news-strikes-war/14335872/ . live .
  22. News: Mackintosh . Thomas . 19 January 2024 . Pakistan-Iran diplomatic ties restored after missile and drone strikes . 20 January 2024 . . 20 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240120002339/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68033426 . live .
  23. Web site: Admin . Iran condemns Pakistan air attack on its territory, summons envoy . 2024-01-18 . 24newshd.tv . en . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118110206/https://www.24newshd.tv/18-Jan-2024/iran-condemns-pakistan-air-attack-on-its-territory-summons-envoy . live .
  24. Web site: 2024-01-23 . Iranians Slam Government For Weak Response To Pakistan's Airstrike . 2024-01-23 . Iran International . en . 23 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240123050534/https://www.iranintl.com/en/202401191337 . live .
  25. Web site: 2024-01-29 . Iran's top diplomat seeks to deescalate tensions on visit to Pakistan after tit-for-tat airstrikes . 2024-01-29 . Associated Press . en . 29 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129075319/https://apnews.com/article/iran-pakistan-airstrikes-tensions-84082a61517bc8ad518d6fa561fdd3bc . live .
  26. Web site: Siddiqui . Usaid . Iran says at least nine killed in Pakistani strikes near southeast border . 2024-01-18 . Al Jazeera . en . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118055020/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/18/pakistan-iran-attacks-live-at-least-7-killed-near-irans-southeast-border . live .
  27. Web site: China offers to mediate as Pakistan-Iran border tensions flare. 2024-01-18. 2024-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20240118140601/https://www.samaa.tv/208738239-china-offers-to-mediate-as-pakistan-iran-border-tensions-flare. live.
  28. Web site: 2024-01-18 . Russia Urges 'Maximum Restraint' After Pakistan Strikes On Iran . 2024-01-18 . Barron's . en-US . 2024-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119001944/https://www.barrons.com/news/russia-urges-maximum-restraint-after-pakistan-strikes-on-iran-afd1f2c8?refsec=topics_afp-news . live .
  29. Web site: 2024-01-19 . Pakistani retaliatory strikes in Iran kill at least 9, raising tensions along border . 2024-01-19 . Associated Press . en-US . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118044646/https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-iran-air-force-strikes-638f2ee4ccfb1a56d26e8f28f7e91699 . live .
  30. Web site: EU Expresses 'Utmost Concern' Over Pakistan, Iran Attacks . Barron's . 2024-01-18 . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118190537/https://www.barrons.com/news/eu-expresses-utmost-concern-over-pakistan-iran-attacks-588dbe46 . live .
  31. Web site: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on developments between Iran and Pakistan . un.org . 18 January 2024 . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118214721/https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-01-18/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-developments-between-iran-and-pakistan . live .

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