Big news has come to light in the ongoing war between America, Israel and Iran. Israel has claimed that it has killed General Ghulam Reza Sulemani, Chief of Iran’s Basij Force. This is the force that works to suppress demonstrations in Iran. Enforces Islamic rules. However, this has not been confirmed by Iran. The Israeli army claims that the Basij chief was killed in the attack on Monday.
Sulemani was born in 1965. America, European Union and many countries have imposed sanctions due to years of suppressing the voices of protesters through the Basij Force. Soleimani’s killing is expected to put more pressure on the command and control of the Basij, which has played a key role in suppressing the rebellion.The Basij and Iran’s internal security forces have been the target of American and Israeli attacks.
What is Basij Force?
This is Iran’s paramilitary force which controls the internal security of the country. It works directly under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It was founded by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. In this force of Iran, youth who have love and loyalty towards the country are recruited. However, many analysts claim in media reports that youth are recruited into this force for privileges and also for economic betterment.
In recent years, they have played a big role in countering rebellions against the government. This includes the Green Revolution of 2009 and the women’s and freedom protests of 2022-23.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Youth with radical Islamic thinking and working class youth participate in it. According to the report of the Institute for the Study of War, there are 4,50,000 soldiers in the Basij Force. This also includes the youth who are part of social and cultural programs in Iran.
Basij Force. Photo: Sobhan Farajvan/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
What work does she do?
- intrinsic safety: To control protests against the government.
- Maintaining law and order: It plays an important role in maintaining law and order in the country.
- To follow Islamic rules: The Basij Force strictly enforces Islamic rules such as dress code in Iran.
- Help in times of war: Helping the army during times of war is also part of their responsibilities.
- Social and Religious Activities: Participates in Islamic education, propaganda and religious programs.
There are 4,50,000 soldiers in the Basij Force. Photo: Sobhan Farajvan/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Several branches of Basij
Basij is divided into five units. Student Basij, Student Basij, University Basij, Public Service Basij and Tribal Basij. The work of these units is to promote Islamic rules and regulations. They have many branches-
- Ashura and Al-Zahra Brigades: These are the security and military branches tasked with “protecting small areas in case of emergency”.
- Imam Hussain Brigade: This includes the Basij’s war-experienced soldiers who work closely with the IRGC’s ground forces.
- Imam Ali Brigade: It works to deal with threats to the security of the country.
Deployed on the border also
The organizational structure of Basij units and the training they receive vary from province to province. This is done keeping in mind the threats identified by the IRGC and Basij commanders in that area. Their responsibilities also change according to the place. For example, Basij Force soldiers are deployed in Sistan and Baluchistan and Khorasan bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan to stop drug smuggling. At the same time, in the Khuzestan province adjacent to Iraq, they provide border security, and in the coastal provinces of Hormuzgan and Bushehr, they assist the IRGC navy in combating the smuggling of Arab contraband.
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