Two Iranian Baluch Citizens Killed in Drone Strike by the Islamic Republic in Iran

Two Iranian Baluch citizens were killed in a drone strike by the Islamic Republic's forces in the vicinity of Zahedan County. This is the first report of a drone attack by the Islamic Republic on Iranian citizens within Iranian territory. Iranian state media claimed on Thursday, April 25, that two 'terrorists' were killed in this drone operation, releasing a photo of a burning vehicle. The Baluch Activists Campaign and the Halosh human rights organization reported that the deceased citizens were 23-year-old Faramarz Shahbakhsh, son of Abdolhakim, and Elyas Qanbarzahi, son of Jalil, from Shurak, Zahedan. Halosh added that the 'Peugeot Pars vehicle was attacked by a drone while moving at the Mohammadabad crossroads in the Korin district of Zahedan and exploded, killing both occupants instantly due to the intensity of the explosion and shrapnel.' The claim by Iranian state media that the two victims were 'terrorists' comes amidst ongoing sporadic clashes between armed Baluch groups and Iranian security forces in Sistan and Baluchestan province over the years. In one of the latest clashes, on Tuesday, April 9, at least six Islamic Republic military personnel were killed by the Jaish al-Adl group. Just days earlier, 11 armed Iranian forces were killed in attacks by the Jaish al-Adl group on four military bases in the same region. According to a recent report by the Research Center of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Sistan and Baluchestan is 'by far the most deprived province in the country.' The center reported that 30% of households in Sistan and Baluchestan live in deprivation, with a 28% gap in deprivation levels compared to Tehran province. Widespread poverty in Sistan and Baluchestan has led many residents to engage in fuel smuggling to meet their basic needs. Over the years, Baluch fuel carriers have been continuously targeted by Iranian security forces, similar to the Kurdish porters in the Kurdish regions of the country. Since the start of the protest Fridays from October 1, 2022, the Islamic Republic has focused on suppressing the people of Baluchestan and imposing restrictions on Molavi Abdolhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader, worsening the living conditions of the people in this province regarding public welfare and access compared to the past.