Iraqi support of Baloch rebels

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 between the 1950s - 1980s. The support came from the Baath Party of Iraq and Syria.

History

In the 1950s, Iraq was providing support for Baluchis 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 rebellion immediately after the death of Dad Shah. There was a civil war in Iranian Balochistan. The Iran forces successfully put down rebellion at the start of 1960s. Many Baluchis went underground and reorganised. In 1968, with the help of Iraq and other Arab nationalist leaders, the Baluch once again started revolt against Shah of Iran which least in 1975 by the Shah of Iran persuading one of the main Baluch nationalist and tribal chief for negations. In 1970s, ties with Iraq were stronger with Baluch by supporting both sides of border Baluch separatist groups. From 1973 to 1977 Iraq helped Baluchi revolt in Pakistan. In February 1973, Balochistan provincial government dismissed by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and arrest of three main Baluch nationalist leaders because of arms discover in Iraqi embassy. Pakistan government also announced that Iraq and Soviet plan to break Pakistan and Iran. Help of Reza Shah of Iran, Pakistan succeed to finish insurgence in Balochistan in 1977 and Baluch nationalist leaders who were in the prison since 1973; some of them migrated to Afghanistan, Gulf states and UK. In 1980 Iran–Iraq War, Iraq once again supported Baluch to keep Iranian forces busy on eastern front where Iraq can have better advantages of war on western front. In June 1991, Saddam Hussein removed one of his most honourable commander’s General Wafiq Samarrai because his increase ties with Tehran. It was General Samarrai in 1994, who revealed that Iraqi Intelligence Service relations very well- established with both side boarder Baluchis and during the Iran–Iraq War intelligence had an office in the UAE in city of Dubai, which was, ran by Baluchis. Iraq ties with Baluch were came better propests in the front of West because of Ramzi Yousef.

ee also

* Baloch people
* Baloch tribes
* Demographics of Iran
* Demographics of Pakistan
* Sistan and Baluchestan Province
* Dad Shah
* Baluchistan Liberation Front
* Jundallah
* Balochistan Liberation Army
* Baluch People's Liberation Front
* Baluchi Liberation Front

References

* Study of Revenge: The First World Trade Center Attack and Saddam Hussein's War Against America By Laurie MylroieSummary, ISBN 0844741698.
* Political Terrorism: A New Guide to Actors, Authors, Concepts, Data Bases, Theories, & Literature By Albert J. Jongman, Alex Peter Schmid, ISBN 1412804698
*In Afghanistan's Shadow: Baluch Nationalism and Soviet Temptation by Selig Harrison
*Inside Baluchistan, a Political Authorbiography by Mir Ahmad Khan Baluch

Links

* [http://www.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN0844741698&id=K27SO6L3qP0C&pg=PA71&lpg=PA71&ots=QEaE1uz5Pl&dq=baluchistan+liberation+front&sig=pIEIfYXzTv3rsEpVqsW9OhFD_cE#PPA70,M1]
* http://www.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN1412804698&id=NgDks1hUjhMC&dq=baluchistan+Liberation+army