Vikrant Shekhawat : Oct 18, 2024, 01:00 AM
Iran News: The United Nations (UN) has expressed concern over the deadly attack on Afghan civilians near the Iranian border and has demanded a thorough investigation. The attack took place near Saravan, located in Iran's troubled southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan, where Iranian security forces reportedly opened fire on Afghan civilians. Several Afghan civilians are reported to have been killed and injured in the incident, although Iran has denied any such firing incident.Iran-Afghanistan border disputeTensions have escalated on the border since the incident. The Sistan and Baluchistan region borders the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, and the area has long been a hotbed of conflicts and insurgencies. In recent months, anti-Afghan rhetoric towards Afghan migrants has increased in Iran, especially after economic sanctions from Western countries put pressure on Iran's economy.The Iranian police chief recently announced that about 2 million Afghan migrants would be deported in the next six months. This announcement has further complicated the already tense relations between Afghanistan and Iran.Taliban's response and demand for investigationThe Taliban government has also reacted to the incident. Their chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that rumors of death and injury of Afghan civilians are spreading, but the incident has not been confirmed yet. He said that the Taliban government will take any concrete steps on this matter only after the investigation is completed.UN's serious concern and appeal for investigationUN Special Envoy on Human Rights Richard Bennett has expressed his deep concern over the incident. He has demanded an investigation into the alleged violence against Afghan civilians on the Afghan border and has appealed to the Iranian authorities to conduct a transparent investigation. Richard Bennett said in a post on 'X', "I am extremely concerned and appeal to the authorities to investigate in a transparent manner to clarify the situation."Allegations of Halwash groupHalwash, a group advocating for the Baloch people, has released several reports of this attack. Halwash has alleged that Iranian security forces used firearms and rockets during the firing. According to the group, dozens of people have died and many others have been injured in the attack.However, Iranian officials have so far rejected these allegations and denied any firing incident.Situation of Afghan migrants in IranAccording to the United Nations Refugee Agency, about 3.8 million displaced people live in Iran, most of whom are Afghans. Many reports claim that this number may be even higher. Afghan migrants play an important role in Iran's economic and social structure, but their situation has become even more vulnerable due to economic problems and political tensions.ConclusionThis attack could further strain the already complex relations between Afghanistan and Iran. The demand for an investigation by the United Nations and reports of alleged violence against Afghan citizens show the seriousness of the situation. Only a transparent and impartial investigation of this incident can help reduce tensions between the two countries.Any concrete decision can be taken only after complete clarity on the situation, but at present this incident remains a serious challenge to regional stability.