Heavy fighting erupts in Iran's restive southeast as tank, drones deployed

 

Heavy fighting broke out between Iranian security forces and unidentified gunmen in Iranshahr in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, with RPG fire reported and a tank and drones deployed, the Baluch rights group Haalvsh reported Tuesday.

Citing local sources, Haalvsh said dozens of security vehicles were sent to the Gharibabad area and that light and heavier weapons were being used in the fighting. Security forces also reportedly blocked roads leading to the area. The identities of the gunmen, the cause of the clashes and any casualties or damage remained unclear.

The confrontation follows a series of armed clashes with government forces in the restive southeast over the past month. On Sept. 12, heavy fighting spread across parts of Saravan, where gunmen attacked military vehicles and security positions and dozens of security personnel were reported killed or wounded.

Earlier in September, the IRGC said two members of an armed cell were killed in a joint security operation in the province. Sunni Baluch cleric Molavi Yousef Gorgij was also shot dead outside his home in Zahedan on Sept. 14.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202609290399