The Sâzmân-e Basij-e Mostaz’afin (“The Organization for Mobilization of the Oppressed”), aka Basij, is a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) characterized as a paramilitary militia. Iranian Revolution leader Ayatollah Khomeini established the group in 1979.
Since its creation, the Basij has permeated many layers of Iranian society. It has cells in practically every Iranian city and is present in schools, universities, healthcare, the military, law enforcement, and other social institutions. Today, its roles include paramilitary support, law enforcement, and moral policing. The Basij is also infamous for cracking down on dissent and for violent oppression of Iranian protesters. In 2022, Tehran heavily relied on it to suppress protests after Mahsa Amini died in Iranian police detention [source, source].
1 Historic Overview
Hundreds of thousands of Basij volunteers, mostly from poorer rural regions of the country, participated in the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). They became known for “human waves” attacks on Iraqi forces, which caused many Basij casualties. In 1981, the Basij became part of the IRGC to serve as a religious paramilitary militia [source].
1.1 Current trends
After the Iran-Iraq war, Tehran shifted the role of the Basij towards domestic security. They now act as morality police, enforce social norms and dress codes, provide support for disaster responses, run pro-government propaganda, and crack down on dissent and protests alongside other Iranian security agencies. It has has a presence in every Iranian university and many government institutions [source].
1.2 Membership
Limited reporting complicates efforts to assess the exact number of Basijis. Estimates range from 300k to one million members. There are three types:
- Regular
- Active
- Special
The types differ in their involvement in Basij causes. Active members, for instance, participate more intensely, while special members are full-time IRGC employees. Several tens of thousands are in the cadre actively involved as security forces, spread across thousands of cells throughout Iran [source].
Traditionally, the Basij represent the religiously conservative part of Iranian society, supporting the ideals of the Iranian Revolution. New members are put through an extensive 45-day indoctrination and military training. Membership tends to be more popular among less wealthy parts of the population. It provides economic and social incentives, such as easier access to employment in the government. Additionally, forty per cent of university spots in Iran are reserved for members of the Basij. Women can also join the organization and often do so for reasons of social mobility [source].
2 Organization and Structure
The Basij is incorporated into the IRGC. As such, it is ultimately commanded by the Iranian Supreme Leader, making it an important element in Iran’s security apparatus.
2.1 Branches
The Basij is comprised of multiple branches:
Armed branches
- Ashoura and Al-Zahra Brigades: security and military branches
- Imam Hossein Brigades: military brigades cooperating with IRGC forces
- Imam Ali Brigades: tasked with internal security threats
Specialized branches
- Basij of the Guilds
- Labor Basij
- Basij of the Nomads
- Public Servants’ Basij
- Pupil’s Basij
- Student Basij
The specialized branches are each focused on specific social institutions and groups. They promote their interpretation of Islamic values and monitor dissent or anti-government sentiments [source].
In addition, it was integrated into Iran’s robust offensive cyber capabilities through the formation of the Basij Cyber Counsel. This group employs non-professional volunteer hackers, sometimes referred to as “cyber war commandos,” under IRGC specialist supervision [source].
The Basij also has naval capabilities and claims to have 55k sailors, but these numbers are unverified [source].
3 Roles and Activities
The Basij is deeply ingrained in different parts of Iranian society and is tasked with different activities.
3.1 Internal Security
Similar to a National Guard in some countries, the Basij is one of the main internal security enforcers for the Iranian regime, working closely with the police and other forces during civil unrest and protests to curb anti-government sentiments [source].
3.1.1 Suppression of Protests
Basij’s involvement in countering major protests in Iran began in the early 21st century, including the fuel price protests in 2019 and the Mahsa Amini protests in 2022. The government uses them as a hardline tool to violently control crowds.
3.2 Intelligence and Moral Policing
Using a vast network of informants, the Basij gathers intelligence on local levels. Their common targets are student groups, opposition groups, intellectuals, and anyone perceived as a threat to the regime. They also act as morality police enforcing the wearing of the hijab, arresting people for violating dress codes, confiscating satellite dishes and harassing government critics [source].
4 Controversies and Human Rights Violations
Violent crackdowns on protests have led to international condemnation. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, regularly criticize the Basij for extreme violence against protestors and unjustified arrests and detentions. The Basij regularly abuse detainees, including using physical and psychological torture to extract forced confessions [source, source].
4.1 International Sanctions
The United States in 2019 designated the IRGC, including the Basij, as a terrorist organization and enforced sanctions on their entities [source, source]. Similarly, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Canada, and Sweden have designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization, with the latter calling on the European Union (EU) to follow suit [source, source, source, source].
Some analysts question the effect of US sanctions on the IRGC, as it has the potential to increase its influence within Iran and boost its influence on the black market [source]. Further, the sanctions have not curbed IRGC activity abroad [source].
5 Conclusion
The Basij is a complex institution within Iran’s geopolitical, economic, military, and ideological landscape. Hence, evolving from a paramilitary militia used in foreign conflict to a deeply embedded means of social control, it is a resilient instrument of state power, protecting the regime from multilateral threats to its existence.
A standout feature is its unique role as a security force and as a social institution, promoting the ideological views of the Islamic Revolution while enforcing its social norms. Given the geopolitical tension in Iran and in the region more broadly, particularly concerning Iran’s rival, Israel, Tehran is likely to retain the Basij as a key player in Iran’s security apparatus for the foreseeable future.
Images Sourced From – Tasnim News
