Continued Clashes in Sistan and Baluchestan; IRGC Reports Killing of Four 'Terrorists'

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims that in the continuation of its operational exercises, it has killed four 'terrorists affiliated' with Israel and arrested 12 others in the past 48 hours. Ahmad Shafaee, spokesperson for the 'Operational Exercise of Martyrs of Security' of the Quds Ground Force of the IRGC, stated on Wednesday, November 23, that this operation was carried out by various forces of the IRGC and law enforcement. He did not provide further details on this matter. IRGC officials and Iranian media have not explained the specifics of this 'exercise' so far, only announcing that it began on November 10 in the counties of Saravan, Kalat, Nikshahr, Rask, Mehristan, and Qasr Qand. However, since the start of this exercise, there have been repeated reports of the killing and arrest of several armed opponents of the Islamic Republic by military institutions in Iran. Previously, the news agencies Tasnim and IRNA reported on Friday, November 18, quoting Mr. Shafaee, that during the continuation of this 'exercise' in Sistan and Baluchestan province, 'four terrorists' were killed in the general area of Rask County. Five Iranian military personnel were killed in Saravan. The spokesperson for the exercise at that time added without further details that one member of the IRGC was also killed in this operation. However, some media outlets, including the Halosh news site covering this region, reported that a convoy of IRGC forces consisting of dozens of vehicles moving from Saravan towards Rask was attacked by armed individuals five kilometers from the city of Rask. Subsequently, Tasnim news agency, close to the IRGC, reported on Sunday, November 20, quoting the public relations of the Quds Ground Force of the IRGC, about the killing of five 'local Basij forces' in Saravan County of Sistan and Baluchestan province. Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the clashes in Rask; at least 'five people were killed.' The public relations of the Quds Ground Force of the IRGC also announced that after the incident, agents were dispatched to the location and the pursuit of 'outlaws' continues. Officials and institutions of the Islamic Republic always use terms like 'outlaws,' 'opponents,' and 'terrorists' to refer to their armed opponents. On the other hand, the Halosh news site reported that armed individuals attacked the IRGC base in the Sirkan area, resulting in the deaths of several 'IRGC forces' during this attack. Armed clashes with the Islamic Republic's opponents in Sistan and Baluchestan have a history, and a significant number of both sides, including Iranian border guards, have been killed in these conflicts.