NCRI – The clerical regime officially tasked the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Bassij paramilitary force to control the cities as popular uprisings spread. Previously, the State Security Force (SSF) – mullahs’ suppressive police – was in charge of security in the cities. Brig. Gen. Ismail Ahmadi Moqadam, Chief of the SSF, emphasized on the role of the IRGC and the Bassij force in the domestic security. He said, "IRGC and Bassij force play an important role in organizing popular forces. Thus, it was decided to strengthen the two in order to allow them to control cultural, social and popular security. In turn, this should lead to lasting security," (Official news agency IRNA, March 27).
Brig. Gen. Ahmad Reza Radan, Deputy Commander of SSF, had earlier spoken of "putting Bassij force in charge of neighborhood security."
During last year, Persian calendar starting March 21, the restive people of Iran staged more than 7,000 protests against the mullahs' regime. In Ivan Gharb and Marivan, western Iran, bloody uprisings took place. Workers, Bazaar merchants and teachers staged hundreds of protests. Students participated in anti-government demonstrations and sit-ins throughout the year.
On February 9, Maj. Gen. Mohammad-Ali Jafari, commander of the IRGC, referred to popular uprisings in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and said, “The events in those years were challenging. We should not allow such problems to occur in the future.” He added, “As Imam [Khomeini] said, we are not afraid of foreign threats but our fear come from inside.” (State-run news agency ISNA, February 9)
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
March 29, 2009