What are the reasons for insecurity in Sistan and Baluchestan province?

Recently, armed clashes in Sistan and Baluchestan province between armed groups opposed to the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have resulted in casualties on both sides. Both the IRGC and the 'Jaish al-Adl' group active in the region are classified as 'terrorist' organizations by the United States. These clashes, particularly in southeastern Iran's borders, have persisted for years with no clear end in sight or establishment of security. What are the reasons for this insecurity in the region? The history of armed opposition attacks against the Islamic Republic in Sistan and Baluchestan is long-standing, with a significant number of casualties reported on both sides during these conflicts. According to Baluch media, during these clashes, IRGC forces also fire upon civilians, and some local residents have been arrested. Morteza Nakhl-Ahmadi, a journalist and political analyst residing in Italy, tells Radio Farda that the primary factor of insecurity is the Islamic Republic's approach in the region. He stated, 'The Islamic Republic's approach over the past four decades towards ethnic regions has been security-oriented, utilizing policies that include demographic changes through various incentives.' Nakhl-Ahmadi emphasized that the ongoing poverty and unemployment in this region lead to the forced migration of the local population. He noted that poverty also accumulates dissatisfaction in the region, prompting some to resort to violent solutions. Sistan and Baluchestan province witnesses a higher number of executions compared to other provinces in Iran. Molavi Abdolhamid, the influential leader of Sunni Baluchis in Sistan and Baluchestan, has previously condemned these executions, stating that 'the art of the Islamic Republic is execution.' He mentioned that a significant portion of the population in Sistan and Baluchestan is poor and in need of 'a few hundred thousand tomans' and have been killed for such amounts. Executions, especially in Sistan and Baluchestan, most of which are related to drug trafficking, perpetuate the cycle of violence. An expert on Sistan and Baluchestan issues, who wished to remain anonymous, told Radio Farda that in some cases, relatives of executed individuals in Sistan and Baluchestan join armed opposition groups to seek revenge. The experience of the past four decades has shown that the Islamic Republic does not trust the people living in Iran's border provinces, especially Kurdistan and Sistan and Baluchestan, to take responsibility for their own security. According to experts, this distrust has contributed to a form of insecurity. Nakhl-Ahmadi also stated that for about fifteen years, the responsibility for border security in Sistan and Baluchestan has been with the IRGC and the representative of the Supreme Leader. This political analyst added that the Islamic Republic has also sown discord among ethnicities and followers of different religions in this region, leading to violence. Regarding the differences between Tehran and Islamabad in this context, he mentioned that the Islamic Republic has not had effective diplomacy with a sustainable security approach with its neighbors. Recently, some Iranian government media and experts have reiterated the previous claim of the Islamic Republic regarding Israel's involvement in border conflicts in Sistan and Baluchestan, yet none of the claimants have ever provided credible evidence in this regard. Nakhl-Ahmadi also stated that there is no substantial evidence in this context. However, the recent clashes occurred after the Islamic Republic appointed a Baluch Sunni citizen as the governor of Sistan and Baluchestan. The absence of Sunni politicians in the government cabinet and the failure to assign governorships to them over the past four decades has always drawn criticism. But can the presence of a local governor now reduce tensions? Nakhl-Ahmadi commented on this, saying, 'This issue should be viewed both positively and with skepticism regarding the effectiveness of this appointment.' He added that over the past four decades, the balance of power in the structure of the Islamic Republic has shifted towards the empowerment of non-elected and appointed institutions, and in Sistan and Baluchestan, the overarching policies of the Islamic Republic keep the government and governorship constrained, likely resulting in no long-term improvement. The issues of security and economy are intertwined. While Sistan and Baluchestan severely needs economic growth and the advancement of construction projects, insecurity can perpetuate the existing poverty and unemployment in this region.