The announcement came through a directive released on Thursday, which now lists the brigade among 79 other proscribed organizations.
The Zaynabiyoun Brigade, known to be composed of Pakistani nationals, was previously recognized by the United States in 2019 as a terrorist group due to its ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its involvement in military activities in Syria. The brigade is reputedly linked with the IRGC’s Quds Force and has participated in combat operations supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime against the Syrian uprising.
The Pakistani government’s recent action highlights a deepening rift between Pakistan and Iran, exacerbated by a series of military confrontations. These tensions peaked with an IRGC assault on Pakistan’s Balochistan province in January, which Pakistan claimed targeted a Sunni militant group. This attack was followed closely by a Pakistani military operation against what it described as terrorist positions on January 18.
One of the headquarters of Fatemiyoun is located in Sheikh Najjar garrison.
Pakistani forces (Zeynabiyoun) are also present in #Aleppo. pic.twitter.com/sXykjHsAOf— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 21, 2016
Further straining relations are the activities of the Zaynabiyoun Brigade within Pakistan’s borders. In early February, the Pakistan Counterterrorism Department reported the arrest of a brigade member in Karachi, allegedly involved in espionage for a “hostile neighboring country.” This follows the capture of several other members in 2021, with authorities asserting that these individuals had undergone military training in Iran.
Moreover, a significant discovery was reported by Pakistani media nearly two years after these arrests: a money laundering network allegedly linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran, operating funds between Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq over the last seven years.
However, it also underscores the fragile and complex nature of Pakistan-Iran relations, posing challenges for regional diplomacy and counterterrorism efforts. As these developments unfold, the impact on bilateral relations and regional stability will continue to be closely monitored by both national and international observers.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
