Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

THE BASIJ AS BUFFER
In an apparent effort to forestall ethnic unrest, Iran has deployed detachments of its Basij domestic militia on the Islamic Republic's border with Iraqi Kurdistan. "Iran is forming special forces, mainly of the Basij, on its borders with the Kurdistan Region." a source has told one Iraqi weekly. "There were about 500 applicants in Sardasht area in the last month. The applicants who had conducted their military service will receive one month training in Tehran; otherwise, they will receive six months training."

Tehran, however, also appears to have more long-term plans in mind. "After the training [Iran] will open centres for these Basijis in Alutan, Qasmarash and Kili," the source has disclosed. "The Basij's main responsibility is to block the infiltration of opposition groups into the country." (Sulaymaniyah Chawder, March 27, 2006)

http://www.afpc.org/idm/idm6.shtml