Iran Seeks to Further Divide Balochistan to Crush the Baloch National Liberation Movement: Hyrbyair Marri

LONDON: Hyrbyair Marri, president of the Free Balochistan Movement, in a statement to the media, said that since Iran’s occupation of part of Baloch land, it has consistently pursued efforts to divide Balochistan under the pretext of political and administrative reforms to divide Baloch land and displace its indigenous population.

The Baloch leader added that this process is not confined to any specific Iranian government. Regardless of which government comes to power in Iran, the strategy of dividing Baloch land and weakening the Baloch national strength has always been a top priority. Whether during the so-called democratic era, under Reza Shah Pahlavi, or the current religious extremist regime, the Iranian ruling classes have always adhered to the same approach: to suppress the Baloch national liberation movement and extinguish the Baloch people’s desires for freedom and unity.

Hyrbyair Marri stressed that despite Iran’s ongoing efforts to divide Baloch land, make the Baloch a minority in their homeland, and impose relentless oppression, the resolve of the Baloch people to reclaim every inch of their land remains unwavering.

He added that the occupiers are constantly fearful that one day the oppressed nations will rise to reclaim their freedom and land. This fear has historically driven occupying powers to resort to excessive force, mass displacements, forced resettlements and arbitrary administrative boundaries to weaken the collective power of the occupied nations. Iran is implementing these same strategies to strengthen and prolong its occupation of Balochistan. However, the Baloch nation is aware of these manipulative tactics and actively resisting them politically and on the ground.

Marri stated that it is crucial today to oppose, both consciously and intellectually, the Iranian and Pakistani conspiracies aimed at dismantling the collective power of the Baloch people and dividing Balochistan. Every Baloch political activist must be fully aware of how, over centuries of occupation, the land of United Balochistan has been divided through administrative measures, and how Iran and Pakistan continue to exploit Baloch national resources. He emphasised the importance of collecting data and documenting evidence on these exploitative practices.

He also mentioned that Iran, in an attempt to deceive the international community and counter the Baloch national liberation movement, is planning to relocate its capital from Tehran to the coastal region of Balochistan, specifically to Chabahar. In a recent press briefing, the Iranian government’s spokesperson Fatima Mohajerani reiterated that the capital would be moved south, signalling that Iran is close to implementing this plan.

Hyrbyair Marri further explained that the Iranian occupying state intends to settle a large number of non-Baloch people in Balochistan’s coastal areas to reduce the Baloch to a minority in their land. To make this economically feasible, the Iranian government has also planned to establish around twenty-seven (27) economic zones, including fourteen (14) commercial zones, along Balochistan’s coastal belt at the mouth of the Baloch Sea. However, Marri assured that the Baloch nation will thwart these malicious plans and ensure the achievement of freedom from both Iran and Pakistan.

Marri also expressed hope that other oppressed nations under Iranian occupation, such as the Kurds, Ahwazis, and Turkmens, will unite with the Baloch on common grounds to pursue their mutual interests. He stated that if occupying powers can unite to impose oppressive policies and strengthen their control over occupied nations, it is equally vital for the oppressed nations in the region to consolidate their efforts against Iran’s occupation, focus their strength, and ensure success in their liberation struggles.