Iran hangs 13 members of rebel Sunni Muslim group

Associated Press ^ | July 15, 2009

[odds]

“With Balooch in that case I was talking about separatists/Jundallah/Al-Qaeda. Not about the Balooch Moe Sixpack.”

I wasn’t simply referring to the average Balouch. Although, the average Balouch & their communities can be very well affected by IRI’s actions in the province & its lack of willingness to differentiate.

I was talking about Distinct groups/trends that exist in Iranian Sistan & Balouchestan province. There are even a couple of factions that exist under the broader umbrella of what we call “Jundallah”, who categorically deny any connection to Al Qaeda, the Separatists or the West. That’s why I said before that the situation is more complicated than most realize.

Although, almost all Balouch are unanimous against the Khomeinist regime, they are divided into several trends. Based on a couple of reliable & informed sources (Amir Taheri being one), these trends/group consist of:

The First and most militant are radical Sunni fundamentalists close to Salafist groups in the Arab world (Saudis, for example), inspired by the Taliban.

The Second trend is represented by Jundollah and a number of tribal armed groups, fighting against Khomeinist regime, and to replace it with a Federal Iranian State, in which ethnic minorities enjoy autonomous rights envisaged for them in 1906 Iranian constitution. They also protest against the regime’s efforts to convert them to Shi’ism through propaganda, force and bribery.

The Third trend consists of outright secessionists such as the Balouch Liberation Front, led by elements from the Lashari (Shahbakhshi) tribe. At least some of these groups are partly financed by drug barons in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Their scheme is to create a Greater Balouchestan composed of all Balouch-majority parts of Afghnistan, Pakistan, and Iran.

I think it is very important that both the West and the IRI are much more discerning about which group of Balouch they go after, rather than putting all these groups in the same basket & treating them in the same manner. Their specific issues & aims are distinct. But, IRI certainly does not differentiate between these groups.

As for the Second above-mentioned group, I think people end up defending themselves, in any way they can, once they reach a point of desperation & if they don’t see a viable alternative. Even if it means taking a violent, armed & an offensive approach. Just look at the events over the last 4 weeks in Iran. These were not “Jundollah” or another Sunni group. Although, the protestors were not armed with guns.

Take a look:

http://noiri.blogspot.com/2007/02/peoples-resistance-movement-of-iran.html
http://plateauofiran.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/statement-by-peoples-resistance-movement-of-iran-jundollah/

“Regional federalism with local and regional rights can only come with a regime change in all of Iran.”

I agree with that. Also, agree that the West should focus on facilitating the practice/process of Democracy and Freedom of basic rights, than to support specific ethnic groups.

Meanwhile, before regime change in Iran occurs, IRI is formally in power, fully armed and not afraid to commit mass murder. Who gets killed and for what reason, to IRI, seems to be very much a secondary issue, but, IMO, will impact how matters will develop in Iran after IRI regime falls.

[odds]

Pls see #21

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!