Basij

The Basij (Basij Resistance Force) is a volunteer paramilitary organization - gang under Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), formed in 1979 to enforce religious, political, and internal "security." Operating across Iran, they act as so-called "moral" police, repress political dissent, and support the Islamic fascist regime, often engaging in "crowd control" street-thuggery-style during protests.

Key details regarding the Basij include: Purpose: Founded by Ayatollah Khomeini to defend the Islamic Republic against perceived domestic and international threats.

Role: Key functions include "morals policing," suppressing demonstrations, controlling public gatherings, and acting as an ideological propaganda machine.

Organization: Formally integrated into the IRGC in 1981, they operate as an auxiliary force for internal security and are present in cities and towns nationwide. Membership: Comprises volunteers (men, women, and historically children) who may receive perks like university spots, jobs, or social status.

Actions: Often involved in violent crackdowns on protesters, including chasing, clubbing, and shooting demonstrators.

The Basij has become a key tool for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to maintain oppressive regime stability through surveillance and repression.