NCRI – Following an assessment of the suppressive forces’ performance during the uprising on the holy day of Ashura (December 27) and concerns about the inability of the Bassij paramilitary force to deal with protestors, particularly the courageous youths, the Iranian regime has adopted new suppressive measures to prevent the repetition of its previous failure.
Some information about the structural change in Bassij force was unveiled in our statement on February 1. Additional information follow:
1. In areas under Bassij control training sessions are organized to teach the forces how to manage a crisis. In these sessions they are trained how to suppress the protestors.
2. In light of women’s active and extensive role in the uprising, part of the training sessions is allocated to female Bassif force. A special female unit will be deployed at every police station.
3. Since January 21, political experts of the Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) have been holding briefing sessions on political and security matters in various parts under Bassij control. The sessions are entitled “Identifying sedition and enemies’ ploys.”
4. The IRGC, Bassij force and State Security Force (SSF) have been in the state of readiness since February 1.
5. Bassij forces have been provided pepper and tear gas to combat protestors.
6. On February 11, motorcyclist units of the IRGC and Bassij will take full control of Tehran’s main streets to prevent demonstrations and save suppressive forces from being punished by protestors.
7. Due to the poor performance of SSF agents, a large number of IRGC forces will be deployed in SSF uniform.
8. In every city a headquarter has been set up named as “Dahe Fajr.” One of the main tasks of these headquarters is to control the security in the cities by setting up check points and stop and search patrols.
9. SSF has also been briefing the personnel in all provinces since the beginning of the Iranian calendar month, Bahman (late January), preparing them to confront and suppress any protest. Ahmadi Moqaddam, SSF Commander threatened; “Today dust has settled and the mask of conspirators has been removed, therefore, there is no longer any justification for compromise. It is important to save the regime and there is no room for tolerance.”
10. About 20 percent of SSF personnel who have either left the force in Tehran and other cities due to discontent or been filtered. The regime has not been able to fill their places yet. Trips made by SSF officials to different provinces have been to deal with this problem.
11. From 25 through 28 January SSF agents staged three exercises under the pretext of security and peace in Qom, Ardebil (city of Khalkhal) and Koh-kilouye provinces. The objectives of all exercises were to gain combat readiness and prepare for crisis conditions. Exercises included instructions on how to deal with riots, gatherings, improvement of protection of important buildings, rescuing hostages, and deployment of forces in city squares.
With these measures, the mullahs’ dictatorship in its faltering state, is attempting with no avail to prevent its inevitable downfall. Such oppressive actions will only add to people’s anger and hatred of the ruling religious fascism. During the Ashura uprising people showed that they are determined to topple this regime and nothing can stop them from doing so.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
February 3, 2010
