Pakistan on Wednesday (January 17) accused Iran of being behind an airstrike that killed two children on its territory, contrary to what Iran has described as similar raids by Tehran in Iraq and Syria. “Anti-Iranian Terrorist Groups”. Islamabad said the strike, which took place near the border shared by the two countries on Tuesday evening “totally unacceptable” and unreasonable.
“We only targeted Iranian terrorists on Pakistani soil”Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian gave the assurance at a forum held in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday. “No citizen from Pakistan’s friend and brotherly country was targeted by Iranian missiles and drones.he insisted. The so-called Jaish al-Adl group (Arabic for “army of justice”), an Iranian terrorist group, was targeted. »
He is the first Iranian official to officially confirm the operation. “The group found shelter in some places in Balochistan province”In West Pakistan, bordering Iran, Mr Amir Abdullahian added, stressing that the issue had been discussed. “On several occasions with Pakistani officials”.
“We respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan”But “We do not accept that our national security is at risk and we have no reservations or hesitation when it comes to our national interests.”He continued.
The Iranian Mehr Agency has also clarified that this “Reply by Missiles and Drones” In response, the Pakistani headquarters of the jihadist group Jaish al-Adl was targeted. “Attack on Security” From Iran. Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl is considered a terrorist group by Tehran and has carried out several attacks on Iranian soil in recent years.
“Violation of Pakistan’s Sovereignty”
“This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is totally unacceptable and could have dire consequences”The Pakistani Foreign Ministry issued a warning in a statement. Tuesday evening strike “Two innocent children killed and three little girls injured”According to the same source.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Hosseini ruled “natural” That his country responded after asking (unsuccessfully) Pakistan“Prevent mass murderers from entering Iran”. “We put no limits on our national interests and the defense of our people”For his part, Iran’s Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani announced.
A few hours before the strike, the interim prime minister, Anwar ul-Haq Qaqre, met the head of Iranian diplomacy, Hossein Amir Abdullahian, on the sidelines of the forum in Davos, Switzerland. China, which maintains privileged relations with both countries, invited them “detention” and for “Avoid activities that increase stress”.
Pakistan ambassador to Iran recalled
Pakistan said it protested by summoning Iran’s representative to Islamabad Unreasonable violation of “ (her) airspace”, and recalled its ambassador stationed in Tehran. Iran’s foreign minister did not comment on the decision.
Tehran and Islamabad frequently accuse each other of allowing insurgent groups to operate from each other’s territory to carry out attacks, but it is rare for either country’s official forces to participate.
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“What is more alarming is that this illegal act took place despite multiple channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran.”Pakistani diplomacy announced. “Pakistan has always maintained that terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region and requires a coordinated response.Adds his press release. Such unilateral acts are not conducive to good neighborly relations and can seriously damage bilateral trust..
Iranian fire on Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan
In December, Jaish al-Ad claimed responsibility for an attack on a police station in Rask, Sistan and Baluchistan province, in which eleven Iranian police officers were killed.
The United States, which classifies Jaish al-Adl as a terrorist organization, maintains that the group “Primarily targeting members of the Iranian security forces” as well as government officials and civilians through assassinations, kidnappings and suicide bombings.
On Tuesday, Iran launched a missile attack on what it described as its headquarters“the spy” and goals “terrorists” in Syria and autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan.
The Iranian strike comes as the Middle East is rocked by a war between the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip and attacks by Iran-backed Yemen’s Houthi rebels against commercial ships in the Red Sea.
