US ban on anti-Iran militant group could have wide-ranging impact
By expanding its terrorist watchlist, Washington is potentially making Iran, Pakistan and China happy.
The US State Department’s recent designation of Jaish al-Adl and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as terrorist organizations calls for a look at the potential international implications of this sudden move.
The Balochistan region of southwestern Asia includes the province of the same name in Pakistan, the province of Sistan and Baluchestan in southeast Iran, and part of southern Afghanistan.
According to the State Department's July 2 official announcement, “The BLA is an armed separatist group that targets security forces and civilians, mainly in ethnic Baloch areas of Pakistan. Additionally, the Department of State has amended the terrorist designations of Jundallah to reflect the group’s new primary name, Jaish al-Adl, and associated aliases.”
Notably, both groups have operated along the Iran-Pakistan border for decades, but follow separate agendas.
