Iran: Jaish Al-Adl claims deadly Sistan and Baluchestan attack Feb. 13 /update 1

Event

The Jaish Al-Adl militant group has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing attack targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel traveling on a bus in Sistan and Baluchestan province on Wednesday, February 13. At least 20 IRGC personnel were killed and 20 others were wounded in the attack, which took place on the Khash-Zahedan Road near the Iranian-Pakistani border. Similar militant attacks targeting security forces are possible in Sistan and Baluchestan province over the near term.

Context

Jaish Al-Adl is a Salafi-jihadist group that is known to carry out cross-border attacks from Pakistan in Iran's neighboring Sistan and Baluchestan province. The group also claimed responsibility for a February 2 attack on an IRGC paramilitary (Basij) base in Nikshahr (Sistan and Baluchestan province), which left one IRGC member dead and at least five others wounded.

The threat of violent militancy remains high in all of Iran's border areas, especially in the west and the east, partly due to weak border monitoring by neighboring countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey.

Advice

Individuals in Sistan and Baluchestan province are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.