Iran's IRGC Raids Village Amid Ongoing Tensions with Israel

Escalating Crackdown on Suspected Spies

Following 12 days of conflict with Israel, Iran has intensified its crackdown on alleged spies. Reports indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted a raid in a village within Iran itself, targeting supposed Israeli operatives.

The incident occurred in the Gonich village of Sistan-Baluchestan province in southeastern Iran, resulting in the death of a 40-year-old woman and injuries to 12 others, including women and children. According to the human rights organization Halvash, the operation was described as extremely brutal. The report claims that during the raid, IRGC soldiers kicked a 21-year-old pregnant woman, leading to a miscarriage.

Civilians Targeted Instead of Spies

Witnesses and villagers reported that the attack was sudden, with the IRGC employing drones and heavy military vehicles. Most residents belong to the Baluch community, which has long been discontent with the Iranian government's policies. The IRGC claims to have received intelligence about the presence of five Israeli spies in the area, allegedly linked to Mossad. However, doubts have been raised about this report from the IRGC's own media outlet, Tasnim, as no images, names, or confirmations of arrests were provided.

Repeated Targeting of the Baluch Community

This is not the first instance of the Baluch community being targeted. In Iran, the minority Baluch have faced marginalization for years, lacking development and rights, compounded by repeated military oppression. The recent incident underscores that the IRGC can act against civilians under the pretext of security threats whenever it chooses.

Claims of Spies Used as a Pretext

Human rights organizations argue that the claim of spies is merely a pretext, with the actual intent being to suppress the voices of Baluch citizens. These organizations have called for an independent investigation into the actions taken in Gonich village and urged international bodies to monitor human rights violations within Iran.