The Jordanian Ammon News Agency featured a story Wednesday alleging that units of the Iranian Basij are ready to strike throughout the Arab Gulf states if Iran is attacked. In fact, the author describes them as 'time bombs’ waiting to explode in the region.
The Basij is a large volunteer paramilitary force (estimated at upwards of 400,000) established during the Iran-Iraq War by the Pasdaran (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps). Its rank and file are drawn primarily from Iran's male population that is either too young or old for regular military service. The Basij achieved notoriety for its “human wave” attacks against the Iraqi Army during the Iran-Iraq War, acting as human shields paving the way for the main Iranian force.
The Basij has also taken up an internal role monitoring civilians and enforcing Islamic codes and laws. Recently, some believe that the Basij has seen a revival since Ahmadinejad took office in 2005. Overall, it's a hodgepodge entity comprised of various units with different names (According to Ammon: Hezbullah, Ansar Allah, Jund al-Imam, etc.), entrusted with defending against both internal and external 'threats’ to the state. Interestingly, the Ammon piece goes on to claim that Iranian opposition groups view the Basij as a despicable organization, referencing their role in the breaking up of demonstrations and enforcing strict Islamic codes. Footage from a recent Basij parade can be viewed here.
The article states the Basij is considered a divine blessing in Iran. One Iranian official reportedly describes its members as the guardians of the Iranian Revolution, called upon when a dead-end situation arises. According to Ammon, Iran has threatened to employ the Basij in suicide operations in the Gulf. A naval commander in the IRCG is cited claiming that there is a plan to strengthen the fighting abilities of the Basij units, as well as assurances that they will cooperate with the IRGC. He goes on to proclaim that, should the situation arise, both would strike in the Gulf theater. Additionally, Iran has alleged as having sleeper cells throughout the Gulf Arab countries, as well as secret platforms (presumably in the Gulf itself) that allow for these cells to cross over into the neighboring Gulf states.
The author concludes the article with a set of doomsday-like predictions in the event that hostilities breakout and these various cells are activated. But is such a scenario realistic?
Although similar threats were made by Iran in October of 2007 amid increasing tensions with the US, these threats did not materialize. A sober analysis of the economic impact of such attacks alone would suggest that it would be equally disastrous for Iran as it would for the Arab Gulf states. But is the situation now closer to the breaking point?
Overall, the alarmist tone of this article perhaps speaks to the psychological reality of the Basij 'threat’, one that remains fresh in the minds of many in the region almost 30 years after the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War.
