Al Mayadeen – September 5, 2024
Day 335 of Israeli genocide in Gaza, 40,878 killed, 94,454 injured
The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza reports that Israeli occupation forces committed two massacres over the past 24 hours, killing 17 people and wounding 56 others.
The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli war in October has risen to 40,878 and those injured 94,454, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said on Thursday as the genocide marked its 335th day.
In its daily report, the ministry mentioned that Israeli occupation forces committed two massacres in Gaza, killing 17 people and wounding 56 others in the past 24 hours.
It also noted that many casualties remain trapped under the rubble and on the streets, with ambulances and civil defense teams unable to reach them.
Meanwhile, the ongoing Israeli aggression on the occupied West Bank has resulted in 39 martyrs and approximately 145 injuries, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah reported.
The martyrs were distributed as follows: 19 in Jenin, 10 in Tubas, 7 in Tulkarm, and 3 in Hebron, including 8 children and 2 elderly individuals, according to the ministry.
"Israel" continues its massacres in Gaza
The Gaza Civil Defense reported on Thursday that the bodies of two martyrs from the Dahdouh family were retrieved on Thursday from an apartment hit by an Israeli airstrike in western Gaza City
Several injured family members were also evacuated from the site, the statement added.
In northern Gaza, an Israeli airstrike targeting a group of civilians near Kamal Adwan Hospital has resulted in the martyrdom of four people, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported.
Additionally, eastern Gaza City was attacked by Israeli forces stationed south of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood using artillery shells and direct gunfire, the correspondent added. Israeli fighters also targeted areas north of al-Nuseirat.
Yeni Safak – September 4, 2024
Israel seeks military solution to Gaza crisis by 'disappearing' a nation: Palestinian envoy to UN
'Israeli fascist extremist leaders have decided to try to bring it to its ultimate conclusion: Palestine with no Palestinians,' says Riyad Mansour
The Palestinian envoy to the UN accused Israel on Wednesday of attempting to impose a military solution to the Gaza crisis by "disappearing a nation."
"Israel has unleashed a full-fledged war against the Palestinian people. Israel is seeking to impose a military solution to the conflict by disappearing a nation," Riyad Mansour said at a UN Security Council session.
Saying that Israel is employing "genocide" and "apartheid" tactics to achieve its colonial aims, Mansour asserted that Palestinians are suffering "disposition, displacement, devastation, destruction and death" at a scale not seen since the Nakba.
In May 1948, the state of Israel was established on occupied Palestinian lands, displacing over 750,000 Palestinians in what is known as the Nakba, or “Great Catastrophe.”
"Instead of ending the Nakba, Israeli fascist extremist leaders have decided to try to bring it to its ultimate conclusion: Palestine with no Palestinians," Mansour added.
Emphasizing the impact of Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since last October, he said around 700 Palestinians have been killed, including over 150 children, and 6,000 injured.
“How can anyone justify sending weapons to an army listed for its crimes against our children, or provide any kind of support to a government that is pursuing annexation and genocide, denying the right of our people to self-determination and denying our nation and those comprising it their right to life?
“It cannot be justified, so no arms, no money, no trade, no shield to help Israel commit its crimes against the Palestinian people. In other words, no complicity,” he said.
He argued that Israel's military aggression, framed as a "security" measure, actually creates "insecurity."
Mansour also said that Israel's policies are designed to prevent a two-state solution and called for decisive international action against Israel's "illegal actions."
"Palestine remains the most important test for the international law-based order, a test it cannot afford to fail," he added.
Algeria's permanent representative to the UN, Amar Bendjama, echoed Mansour's concerns, criticizing the failure of diplomacy and the international community's inaction.
"If we are gathered here today, it is because diplomacy has failed. It is because this Security Council, entrusted with maintaining international peace and security, has not fulfilled its duty," he said.
He said that had a cease-fire been enforced, "more than 33,000 Palestinians, half of them women and children, would have been spared."
Bendjama stressed that "there can be no double standard in recognizing suffering" and condemned the continued violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank as "collective punishment."
He urged the Council to take immediate action to prevent further escalation and uphold international law.
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/israel-seeks-military-solution-to-gaza-crisis-by-disappearing-a-nation-palestinian-envoy-to-un-3690439
Countercurrent – September 5, 2024
Israeli defence minister foreshadows Gaza-type genocide in West Bank
by Peter Symonds
As the Israeli military continued its murderous operations in the occupied West Bank into an eighth day, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant yesterday foreshadowed a massive escalation that would inflict death and destruction on the scale being witnessed in Gaza.
Speaking after meeting with senior officers, Gallant described the current military attacks on Jenin, Tulkarm and the Far’a refugee camp near Tubas as “mowing the lawn” of Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants. While supposedly to destroy “terror networks,” the operations have killed men, women and children, old and young, with the aim of terrorising the population.
However, in an unmistakeable sign that it is preparing a full-scale invasion of the West Bank, Gallant declared that eventually the military will need to “pull out the roots.” The only way that the Zionist regime can destroy the social roots of the armed opposition to its occupation and repression is the type of genocidal operation that has taken place in Gaza.
Gallant added that “the rise of terror in Judea and Samaria is an issue that we need to be focused on at every moment.” The reference to the West Bank by its biblical names—Judea and Samaria—only underscores that the occupied Palestinian territory is already regarded as part of a greater Israel.
The current West Bank operation—known internally by the Israeli army as “Summer Camps”—is far from being a limited incursion. Gallant declared that the “terrorist organisations” had to be “wiped out,” adding: “Every such terrorist should be eliminated, [or] if they surrender, arrest them. There is no other option, use all the forces, everyone who is needed, with full strength.”
Gallant also revealed he had ordered the military to carry out airstrikes “wherever necessary,” supposedly to “avoid endangering soldiers.” In reality, indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes will rain death and destruction in the West Bank as in Gaza where the death toll, according to health authorities, is now at least 40,000 men, women and children.
A situation update released yesterday by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) declared that Israeli forces had been using “lethal, war-like tactics across the northern West Bank, deepening people’s humanitarian needs and raising concerns over excessive use of force.”
OCHA reported that the Israeli military had killed 30 Palestinians in the West Bank between August 27 and September 2, including seven children—the highest weekly death toll since November 2023. Ten of the fatalities were the result of airstrikes, which increased sharply in August. Of the 95 Palestinian deaths from airstrikes in the West Bank in 2024, between 41 and 44 percent took place last month.
In Jenin City and Jenin refugee camp, the report catalogued deaths from Israeli airstrikes and ground operations on a daily basis, including children and the elderly. Over the week covered by the report, the Israeli military attacked health workers and those seeking to buy or distribute food. On Monday, troops killed a detained Palestinian man whose body when released showed tell-tale signs of torture. On Tuesday, an assessment mission to Jenin organised by OCHA was denied access by Israeli security forces.
While the Israeli military has focused on Jenin, its attacks have extended throughout the West Bank in the governates of Tubas, Tulkarm and Hebron. While some deaths were the result of clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants, others including children have died in strikes or simply been shot by Israeli troops.
On Monday in Tulkarm, for instance, Israeli forces shot and killed a 14-year-old boy and injured six Palestinians, including a 12-year-old girl. The boy was killed when he and his father, believing that Israeli troops had left, opened the door to their home. During an operation in Tulkarm Refugee Camp, an airstrike injured three, including a female paramedic.
According to the OCHA report, 652 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank from October 7 last year to September 2. Over the same period, OCHA has recorded around 1,300 attacks by armed Israeli settlers, of which over 120 led to Palestinian deaths and injuries, and 1,050 to damage to Palestinian properties. Over the week to September 2, another 16 settler attacks took place resulting in 11 injuries to Palestinians.
The demolition of Palestinian homes and businesses also continues apace. Over the week to September 2, Israeli authorities demolished, destroyed or forced the demolition of 26 Palestinian-owned structures—23 in Tulkarm and the remaining three in East Jerusalem. One demolition in the Al Bustan area of East Jerusalem, where a family of four was displaced, was part of a plan to build and expand an Israeli settlement project with public spaces predominantly for tourists and Israelis.
Since October 7, Israeli authorities have demolished or confiscated 1,478 Palestinian structures across the West Bank, displacing more than 3,477 Palestinians, including about 1,485 children. “The demolitions after 7 October include over 500 inhabited structures, more than 300 agricultural structures, more than 100 water, sanitation and hygiene structures, and 200 livelihood structures,” the report stated.
Israeli military operations continued over the past two days. As reported by the WAFA news agency, Israel’s military assault in Jenin is in its eighth day, and the third day in Tulkarm city and refugee camp, where “widespread destruction” has been inflicted. Its correspondent said that Israeli massive armoured bulldozers tore up tarmac streets and alleyways in the camp and ravaged through public and private properties.
“The heavy machineries blocked the alleyways of the camp with earth mounds, making it impossible for residents to navigate them, even on foot and compounding their suffering,” the agency reported.
“This came as the occupation forces blew up several houses in the camp, setting them on fire, destroying them and displacing the occupants.
“The occupation forces continue to deploy more military vehicles and bulldozers into the camp and the city, simultaneously while patrolling streets, intercepting vehicles and ambulances, inspecting them and interrogating passengers. The gun-toting soldiers impeded the distribution of relief aid by the Red Crescent crews.”
Al Jazeera correspondents reported an ongoing Israeli raid in the Jalazone refugee camp, north of Ramallah, in which dozens of Palestinians have been detained and questioned in local community centres. At least 20 Palestinians were rounded up from Beit Surik. Other raids took place in Qalqilya, Nablus with a focus on Balata and Askar refugee camps, as well as Al-Khader town south of Bethlehem and Al-Azza refugee camp north of the city.
CNN reported that Palestinian journalists were fired on by Israeli troops during a raid in the West Bank town of Kafr Dan. Mohammed Mansour, a journalist for the Palestinian news agency WAFA, was injured when the car he was driving was struck by gunfire. The four journalists in the vehicle were all wearing flak jackets with “press” labels, and the car was marked “press” on its hood.
The Israeli genocide in Gaza continues unabated, with health officials yesterday reporting another 42 Palestinian deaths in the previous 24 hours, bringing the deaths since October 7 last year to at least 40,861 Palestinians with another 94,398 injured. If such barbarity is waged in the West Bank, home to nearly 3 million, the death toll will be even higher.
New Chinese helipads close to LAC fresh worry as India bolsters Ladakh with additional districts
Satellite images suggest the helistrips are designed to beef up Chinese troop and hardware deployment amid ongoing border tensions since 2020
Edited By: Ashish Mukherjee
Union home minister Amit Shah, on August 26, announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh. The newly designated Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang districts take the total number from two to seven.
The decision is a long-awaited fulfilment of local demands and is being seen as a step that will boost governance and development in the strategically significant region. Ladakh, a part of Jammu and Kashmir before being made a Union territory in August 2019, shares its borders with both Pakistan and China, adding to its geopolitical significance.
Shah’s announcement has come amid ongoing military tensions with China in the border region, precipitated since the deadly Galwan Valley clash between soldiers of both sides in the summer of 2020. India and China have since ramped up infrastructure and military presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), their de facto border.
Ladakh has an expanse of 86,904 sq. km but is sparsely populated. During the last census in 2011, its population stood at just 274,000.
However, since the Galwan clash, the Indian and Chinese militaries have beefed up their presence in the Ladakh sector, both in terms of boots on the ground and military hardware. In retaliation to the Chinese military’s large-scale infrastructure development close to the border, the Indian side, too, has hastened infrastructure creation for faster movement of military closer to the LAC, around eastern Ladakh.
Observers note that China’s broader strategy in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) involves upgrading infrastructure, including roads, missile silos and dual-use airfields. This allows for quicker mobilisation of troops and equipment, posing heightened challenges for India.
At the same time, both sides have been pursuing diplomatic and military negotiations to defuse the border tensions, but with limited success.
India’s fresh concerns emerge from recent satellite pictures revealing that the Chinese military has constructed a string of helipads close to the LAC. The images suggest the heliports are designed to enhance rapid troop deployment. Their proximity to areas like Depsang and Gogra indicate a strategic focus on rapid induction and logistics support. Additionally, underground bunkers and expanded airbases signal intensified Chinese preparations for long-term deployment in the contested Aksai Chin area.
According to sources, the Chinese military has built around 10 helistrips, with lengths of more than 150 metres, opposite the Daulat Beg Oldie region (also India’s northernmost corner). These helistrips can support medium-lift helicopters, of the type of Mi-17s, in the high-altitude plateau areas.
A China analyst claims the ‘string of heliports’ are tactical in nature. “Heliports are independent sites or bases with hangers, FOL (forward operating locations) and ammo dumps. They augment the rapid induction capacity and logistics of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) opposite the Indian frontier,” said the analyst.
Most of the helistrips fall between areas opposite the Indian side of Depsang to Gogra. Military experts pointed out that the PLA’s focus seems to be on the Chip Chap area of Patrol Point 13 and areas across Hot Springs and Gogra.
In addition, three helistrips are under construction in the area south of Aktagh (north of the Karakoram Pass), Kyrmgo Traggar (opposite Gogra Hot Springs and Kongka La) and at Ge’gyai country (towards the headwaters of Indus).
As per Open Source Intelligence (OSNT), the Chinese side is building the new heliports in ‘disputed’ territory and these comprise hangars and short runways and possibly drones, which will “significantly enhance the operational capabilities” of the PLA in and around Aksai Chin.
Military experts pointed out that these areas have been most prone to clashes between Indian and Chinese troops. The helipads would boost troop movement for the Chinese, allowing for rapid response and support in case of any future clashes.
However, some observers believe that some of the helistrips have already existed and that a majority of them have been expanded for better infrastructure.
In May, satellite images had established the existence of the PLA’s newly constructed bigger underground bunkers for storing weapons and fuel as well as hardened shelters for protecting armoured vehicles at a key base in the area around Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh.
China observers are surprised at the fast-changing strategic geography of TAR. As observed in satellite images and other reports, the new strategic assets include construction and upgrade of roads close to the LAC, underground missile launch silos, blast pens in airfields, positioning of fighter jets, new railway lines and dual-use civilian-military villages. Around 50 airstrips or airports and helipads are being completed to facilitate faster mobilisation of men and material—all of this indicating the PLA’s preparations for extended deployment.
Early this year, satellite images had revealed the deployment of heavy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at military bases further inside China, such as in Shigatse and Malan. The presence of advanced drones, such as the WZ-7 ‘Soaring Dragon’ at Bangda airbase, also confirmed the heightened surveillance and reconnaissance activities of the Chinese military near the border. Drones like WZ-7, known for their endurance and high-resolution imaging capabilities, pose significant threats to India due to their capabilities in target acquisition and precision targeting support for ground operations.
China observers maintain that China has upgraded its five existing airports in the region with new terminals, hangars, aprons and runways for both military and civilian use. In addition, four new dual-use airports are underway, three of which—Lhuntse, Ngari-Burang and Shigatse Tingri in Tibet—are less than 60 km from the LAC. Similarly, in Xinjiang, 15 airports have been upgraded, seven with military or dual-use facilities.
Türkiye applies for BRICS membership in push for new alliances
Frustrated by a lack of progress in its accession to the European Union, Türkiye has officially requested to join the BRICS alliance of developing markets as it looks to forge new ties beyond its traditional Western allies, according to a report in Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration believes the geopolitical center of gravity is shifting away from developed economies, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to comment.
The country’s new diplomatic push reflects its aspirations to cultivate ties with all sides in a multipolar world while still fulfilling its obligations as a key member of NATO, they said.
Straddling Europe and Asia, Türkiye applied to join BRICS some months ago amid frustration over a lack of progress in its decades-old bid to join the European Union, the sources added.
The bid is also partly a result of rifts with fellow NATO members after Türkiye maintained close links with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the people added.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry and Presidency declined to comment, according to Bloomberg.
“Türkiye can become a strong, prosperous, prestigious and effective country if it improves its relations with the East and the West simultaneously,” Erdoğan said in Istanbul over the weekend. “Any method other than this will not benefit Türkiye but will harm it.”
The BRICS grouping, named after Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, includes some of the biggest emerging economies. At the start of this year, it had four new members: Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt. Saudi Arabia was invited to join, though the kingdom has yet to do so.
The group’s further enlargement could be discussed during a summit in Kazan, Russia, from Oct. 22-24, said the sources. Malaysia, Thailand and Türkiye’s close ally Azerbaijan are among other countries looking to join.
BRICS touts itself as an alternative to what its members see as Western-dominated institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. New members can potentially get access to financing through its development bank as well as broaden their political and trading relationships.
Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has long accused Western nations of thwarting Turkish aspirations for a self-sufficient defense industry and strong economy.
The president has repeatedly called for an overhaul of the United Nations Security Council to broaden its five permanent members and expressed interest in joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, set up by Russia and China as a rival to NATO.
BRICS expansion has primarily been driven by China, which is trying to boost its global clout by courting nations traditionally allied with the U.S.
Türkiye has been in talks to join the EU since 2005 but has encountered a series of obstacles, including what Ankara calls “politicized” reasons, namely the deadlock in ethically divided Cyprus.
Türkiye believes that joining the BRICS countries could help the country improve its economic cooperation with Russia and China and become a trade conduit between the EU and Asia. The people said it wants to be a hub for gas exports out of Russia and Central Asia.
Erdoğan’s administration has been trying to lure investment from Chinese electric carmakers, which could potentially take advantage of Türkiye’s customs union with the EU to boost their market access, Bloomberg wrote.
https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkiye-applies-for-brics-membership-in-push-for-new-alliances-report
Daily Sabah – September 4, 2024
Russia says BRICS will consider Türkiye’s bid for full membership
Russia on Wednesday said that BRICS member states would consider Türkiye’s formal application for full membership.
"Türkiye has applied for full membership. We'll consider this bid," Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told reporters in Vladivostok.
Bloomberg earlier reported, citing sources, that Turkish authorities had applied to join BRICS several months ago.
According to the news agency, the issue of the association's expansion will be considered at the BRICS summit in Kazan on Oct. 22-24, which will be attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Ömer Çelik too confirmed on Tuesday Türkiye was taking a step toward joining BRICS but said there was no concrete action yet.
“If there is a concrete development – a decision or evaluation by BRICS on membership – we will share that with you,” Çelik told reporters in Ankara.
In June, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Türkiye would like to join BRICS but did not elaborate further.
The country’s new diplomatic push reflects its aspirations to cultivate ties with all sides in a multipolar world while still fulfilling its obligations as a key member of NATO, sources told Bloomberg.
Straddling Europe and Asia, Türkiye applied to join BRICS some months ago amid frustration over a lack of progress in its decades-old bid to join the European Union, the sources added. Türkiye’s accession to the EU has been essentially frozen since 2005, with talks blocked over what Ankara calls “politicized” reasons, namely the deadlock in ethnically divided Cyprus.
The bid is also partly a result of rifts with fellow NATO members after Türkiye maintained close links with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the people added.
“Türkiye can become a strong, prosperous, prestigious and effective country if it improves its relations with the East and the West simultaneously,” Erdoğan said in Istanbul over the weekend. “Any method other than this will not benefit Türkiye but will harm it.”
The BRICS grouping, named after Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, includes some of the biggest emerging economies. At the start of this year, it had four new members: Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ethiopia and Egypt. Saudi Arabia was invited to join, though the kingdom has yet to do so.
BRICS touts itself as an alternative to what its members see as Western-dominated institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. New members can potentially get access to financing through its development bank as well as broaden their political and trading relationships.
The AK Party has long accused Western nations of thwarting Turkish aspirations for a self-sufficient defense industry and a strong economy.
Türkiye believes that joining the BRICS countries could help the country improve its economic cooperation with Russia and China and become a trade conduit between the EU and Asia. The people said it wants to be a hub for gas exports out of Russia and Central Asia.
Here's how Pakistan could address rising violence in Balochistan
After recent deadly BLA attacks, Pakistan's challenge is to balance security operations with meaningful dialogue and economic incentives in the province.
Hannan Hussain
Following a string of coordinated terrorist attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan province late last month, all eyes are set on Pakistan's effective response options.
The attacks, perpetrated by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists,ﾠkilled over 70 people and signalled further alarm: it was a rare instance of Baloch attacksﾠstretching to border areas of Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province. Previous attacks were largely concentrated within Balochistan, and away from its borderlands.
"All possible steps should be taken to improve the security situation in Balochistan,"ﾠsaid Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari shortly after the attacks.
Now as the state formulates a long-term response to rising terrorism in Balochistan, what could effective response options look like? Given the BLA's close links with other separatist terrorist groups, and its desire to undermine state engagement with local Baloch leaders, the need for a multipronged security strategy is critical.
Bolstering dialogue
Pakistan's security forces have effectively used intelligence-based operations (IBOs)ﾠto target terrorists in the wake of recent attacks. But weakening their support base requires an additional set of measures.
This includes pursuing genuine dialogue with local rights outfits and Baloch youth movements that haveﾠcalled on the state to protect their fundamental rights and facilitate accountability of alleged violations. Terrorist groups such as the BLA continue toﾠoppose any such dialogue as it threatens their ability to target alienated Baloch youth and step up recruitment as it fights for an independent state.
Their alienation stems from the state's perceived interference in local governance, and its use of force to deal with protests against extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances and other alleged rights violations.
As state dialogue with trusted Baloch leaders became less frequent over the years, the BLA had an easier time recruiting manpowerﾠand more female suicide bombers to aid anti-state operations. Last month's attacks were the latest proof point.
Thus, long-term dialogue with Baloch rights groups and peace activists would benefit Pakistan's counterterrorism response considerably. This would help the government drawﾠthe distinction between anti-state forces and locals who are simply seeking government support on rights accountability.
The BLA has sought to blur the line between the twoﾠafter merging with other militant groups under the Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) coalition. This creates a need to win more public trust and pursue dignified engagement with ethnic Baloch through multi-year dialogue.
Government outreach towards the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), an ethnic Baloch group ofﾠpeace activists and students, provides an important starting point. State dialogue could take the form of "joint committees" that draw representation from all major political parties, civil society representatives, ethnic Baloch leaders and peaceful youth wings to coordinate expectations on rights protections and counterterrorism operations.
Past government attempts at negotiations with Baloch community leaders have lacked multi-stakeholder representationﾠand continuity across political administrations. Trust deficit has been a major impediment over the years.
Popular tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed in a military operation in 2006, triggering the fifth phase of a decades-old insurgency. Peaceful protests on rights accountability have been met with force, and there is lingering suspicion in Balochistan that their concerns are deliberately sidelined by the government.
This is why the Balochistan government's recent decisionﾠto form a joint committee with the BYC could serve as a test case to put a long-delayed peace process back on track. By bringing the province's key political stakeholders onboard, the state can ramp up IBOs against terrorist groups and allay fears of collateral damage among locals.
Development and economic incentives
There is a dire need for government investment in Balochistan's local industries, labour-training, education and healthcare sectors. Consistent state support could address a growing sense ofﾠeconomic deprivation andﾠmarginalisation among local Baloch.
The BLA and its allies have strengthened their attack capabilities at a time when Balochistan has endured high unemployment, poverty and bleak growth prospects. These factors have contributed to a governance vacuum that BLA and allies haveﾠused to organise support.
The multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), could lay the groundwork for timely intervention.
Consider preferred employment of local Baloch labourers in energy and infrastructure projects. Policy supportﾠcould dispel misperceptions that CPEC gives preference to non-native workers at the expense of Balochistan's sizable youth population. This is important because BLA and its Majeed Brigade "Suicide Squad"ﾠhave spent months targeting Chinese investment projects and personnel based on similar assumptions.
Thus, induction of Baloch labourers in energy and infrastructure projects could promote local ownership of CPEC, making it difficult for Baloch terrorists to exploit their grievances to stage more attacks.
An opening appears in sight.
The federal government is getting ready to developﾠfive new economic zones under CPEC's latest phase, which includes innovation, livelihood and employment generation corridors.
The scale of these projects demands significant labour procurement and training, as well as renewed attention to skills upgradation across BRI-backed training and vocational centres.
Thus, reorienting the corridor's focus on local labour engagement could strengthen government rapport with Balochistan's sizeable youth population. In effect, this could offer important pushback against terrorist groups looking toﾠwiden the gap between the Pakistani state and locals in the country's most impoverished province.
Thus understood, a security strategy backed by development incentives and state dialogue could constitute an effective response to Balochistan's complex challenges.
The political and economic empowerment of ethnic Baloch is central to a multipronged strategy that clamps down on Baloch terrorist groups, their ideology, but also enlists local support for more intelligence-based operations.
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The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
Special Correspondent
Maryam Turab
