What is Basij? Overview of Iran’s militia and its history

The recent anti-regime protests in Iran have coincided with the Israeli Defense Forces’ announcement of the killing of Basij paramilitary leader Gholamreza Soleimani and his deputy, Seyyed Karishi. The Basij, a volunteer militia under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has shifted from its original role of defending the Islamic Republic to suppressing dissent and enforcing morality. The group has gained notoriety for its violent repression of protests, including the recent wave following Mahsa Amini’s death.

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