The Balochistan region is divided between three nations Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The relationship between the Baluch and Arab nationalist leaders began at the start of 20th century but became stronger during the 1950s - 1980s. The support came from the Baath Party of Iraq and Syria.
History [edit]
In the 1950s, Iraq provided support for Baluchs against Tehran. Rebel leader Dad Shah was very famous in Iraq’s media. He was killed in 1957 but Iraqi support continued. The Shah of Iran was unable to stop the civil war in Iranian Balochistan immediately after the death of Dad Shah. Iranian forces successfully put down the rebellion at the start of 1960s. Many Baluchis went underground and reorganized. In 1968, with the help of Iraq and other Arab nationalist leaders, the Baluch once again revolted. The revolt ended in 1975 when the Shah persuaded one of the main Baluch nationalists and tribal chiefs to negotiate. In 1970s, ties with Iraq became stronger by supporting Baluch separatist groups on both sides of border. From 1973 to 1977 Iraq aided the Baluchi revolt in Pakistan, the Balochistan conflict. In February 1973, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto dismissed the Balochistan provincial government and arrested three main Baluch nationalist leaders because of arms discovered in Iraqi embassy. Pakistan's government also announced an Iraqi/Soviet plan to break up Pakistan and Iran. With the help of the Shah, Pakistan crushed the insurgence in Balochistan in 1977 and exiled Baluch nationalist leaders who had been in prison since 1973; some migrated to Afghanistan, Gulf states and UK. In the 1980 Iran–Iraq War, Iraq once again supported the Baluch to keep Iranian forces busy on their eastern front aiding Iraq on the western front. In June 1991, Saddam Hussein removed one of his most honourable commanders General Wafiq Samarrai because of his ties with Tehran. In 1994, General Samarrai revealed that Iraqi Intelligence Service relations were very well established on both sides of the border. During the Iran–Iraq War Iraqi intelligence had an office in Dubai run by Baluchis.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- Study of Revenge: The First World Trade Center Attack and Saddam Hussein's War Against America By Laurie Mylroie
Summary, ISBN 0-8447-4169-8.
- Political Terrorism: A New Guide to Actors, Authors, Concepts, Data Bases, Theories, & Literature By Albert J. Jongman, Alex Peter Schmid, ISBN 1-4128-0469-8
- In Afghanistan's Shadow: Baluch Nationalism and Soviet Temptation by Selig Harrison
- Inside Baluchistan, a Political Authorbiography by Mir Ahmad Khan Baluch
External links [edit]
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