Part II. Iranian Basij. Study Centers and Socialization

T he Islamic Republic of Iran Army is one of the most powerful in the Middle East, which is not a coincidence: a strong army is a necessity to be viable, let alone have any real ambitions in this region. The number of Iranian armed forces alone is already impressive: 1-1.5 million people. The IRI Armed Forces include three structures: Iran’s Regular Army (Artesh), Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). 

The Regular Army consists of ground forces, naval, air force and air defense. It is responsible for protecting the country’s borders and ensuring order within the state. 

Law Enforcement Forces perform the function of police and border guard service, they are called to fight against crime, protect public order, property, ensure public and state security.

The IRGC is considered the second or parallel army of Iran. As part of it, like the regular army, there are ground, naval and air forces. The IRGC also includes the special operations unit “Rhodes” and the militia “Basij”.

History

Basij (Basij-e Mostazafan) has a unique and important place in the IRI Armed Forces. Its formation started almost immediately following the Islamic Revolution, in February 1980. It was the main instrument for the implementation of the concept of the Islamic “Army of 20 million” proclaimed by the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Basij received combat baptism in the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988. The so-called “human waves” were part of the Islamic Holy War and rejected accepted tactical norms. Despite being lightly armed and often operating without air or artillery support, groups of people who were self-sacrificingly devoted to Islam continued to move forward, ignoring their enormous losses. These “human waves” had a powerful psychological effect on the enemy.

S teps at improving the structure of Basij and increasing the level of military training were taken even during the war years. At that time, control over the Basij was transferred to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. During the Iran-Iraq war, each Basij member was required to stay at the front for at least two months, and for at least six months in the last years of the war, after which he could be replaced. As a result, by the end of the war, Iran had more than five million militias participating in military operations.

With the efforts of IRGC, a network of military training centers was created throughout the country, where Iranians capable of carrying weapons underwent one to one and half months of training. As a result of extensive work, Basij received its current appearance: Basij Resistance Force (BRF) was created.

Functions

I n line with the administrative-territorial division of Iran, more than 3000 districts of resistance have been formed in each state. The lowest sector of the BRF system is the resistance bases, the number of which, based on various data, is 40-50 thousand.  

Battalions are the main fighting units of the Basij, composed of 400-500 fighters. The number of battalions varies from 70 to 90 in various states. The commanders of the battalions are IRGC personnel officers. The term of service in these units is 11 to 13 months. Moreover, this period can be reduced by one and a half to three months by special order of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. In peacetime, after service, weapons attached to the militia are stored in the IRGC warehouses. In wartime, the organization of defense in the areas of resistance bases, rescue, repair and rehabilitation works are among the BRF functions.

The latter is also carried out in peacetime to eliminate or mitigate the consequences of natural disasters. Furthermore, in peacetime, Basij provides assistance to law enforcement forces in the fight against opposition and criminal elements, thus protecting state structures and important military-economic facilities of the country. Iran’s militias are also involved in ensuring security in the border regions, as well as fighting against smuggling and drug trafficking.   

Based on goals, Basij is divided into the following categories:

– regular Basij is represented by personnel, who, after passing basic military training, are included in one of the units of the “Army of 20 million”,

– active Basij is composed of personnel, who after passing basic military training, are involved in special units that are recruited to perform individual tasks in close cooperation with the regular units of the IRGC,

– special Basij is the priority reserve of the IRGC ground forces. This category, after passing appropriate military training, is included in the IRGC reserve and replenishes corps units in times of danger or during a state of war.

Social Component

B asij’s military component is the main, yet not the only one. Currently, Basij is involved in almost every aspect of Iranian life. Organizations affiliated with Basij engaged in cultural, educational, scientific, economic and other activities. Basij Cooperative Foundation is represented in various fields of the Iranian economy, from transport and construction to heavy industry and finances. This organization plays quite a big role in Iran’s economy.

It's hard to overestimate the social role of Basij. For many, the militia solves the problem of socialization. In this regard, it is of interest, first of all, to the socially disadvantaged rural population. For the population of large cities, Basij is attractive from the viewpoint of improving the social position. Being an active member of Basij is mandatory for a military and political career. Besides political and military careers, Basij members also have advantages in terms of career advancement in the Basij Cooperative Foundation and other companies affiliated with the IRGC.

The members of Basij also have privileges when entering a university, they can apply to Basij-affiliated banks or credit organizations to get a loan, active members can also take advantage of housing subsidies in the public sector. Through the network of consumer cooperatives attached to the organization, an ordinary Basij member can buy food and basic necessities at discounted prices. In this way, IRGC supports the raising of the social status of the Basij members and the improvement of their financial situation, which is an additional motivation to join the ranks of the Basij.

Local authorities are obliged to exempt Basij facilities located in their territories from utility bills with their own funds.

As for Armenia, it is difficult to imagine the convergence of the militia with the country’s economy, political system, army and social life, especially when the establishment of such a system in Armenia will mean the actual elimination of political and economic freedoms. However, granting certain social benefits to the militia can have positive effects in terms of recruitment, attractiveness and overall systemic stability. As an option, it is possible to consider providing loans on preferential terms to militiamen involved in border units or subsidization of utility bills. The role of the militia as an additional source of recruitment of the Armed Forces staff, up to junior officers, may also be interesting.

Preparation and Training

T he system of Basij in addition to meeting the needs of the trained reserve of the Iranian armed forces, allows the country’s leadership to implement general military and religious-ideological training programs for the population.

Currently, there are 6000 Basij training centers in Iran. The training program provides studying the skills of handling light firearms, the basics of combat tactics, the rules of first aid, as well as increasing physical fitness. In Iran, each province conducts BRF training exercises at least once a year. Moreover, the members of BRF formations are involved in all major military exercises of the Iranian Armed Forces and the IRGC ground forces.

Besides military training, great attention is paid to political and ideological work (teaching the history of Islam, studying the Quran). To maximize the impact of the propaganda, special training courses are organized for students and schoolchildren every year during the summer holidays, using the educational and material base of the IRGC and BRF.  

Perhaps, it is in this sense, that the example of Basij is interesting for us. Obviously, in the case of localizing the experience of organizing the educational process, it is important to take into account several religious, cultural, historical and generally national features, but the idea itself deserves attention.  

The courses organized for students and schoolchildren are of particular interest. It is natural that in the case of Armenia, these courses should be free from religious and political activities because it is not only illegal but also pointless and useless. However, summer military sports camps can be useful for both the youth who are going to serve in the near future, and from the point of view of ensuring a certain level of military training for the entire community from an early age.  

Overall, borrowing the example and experience of Basij in its entirety is impossible, but in the case of localization the individual elements competently, the quality of the reserve force, and, as a result, the resistance of the Republic of Armenia can provide a significant increase.