Basij to Stage Large-Scale Wargames in Tehran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – More than 10,000 of the Iranian Basij (volunteer) forces are planned to participate in large-scale wargames, codenamed ‘Ela Beit ul-Muqaddas’ (Towards al-Quds), due to be held in Tehran within the next few days, a top commander said.
General Ahmad Zolqadr, a high-ranking commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), announced in a press conference on Monday that the massive drills will be held on April 24 and 25.
According to the commander, some 10,000 Basij forces will take part in the exercises, which are to be launched in 5 different operational spots across the city of Tehran.
As regards the objectives of the forthcoming wargame, General Zolqadr said it aims to raise the forces’ preparedness for the possible real conditions and improve their mobility through different operations, including anti-heliborne exercises and civil defense tactics.
Different units of Iran's Basij force have held tens of military exercises, codenamed Ela Beit ul-Muqaddas, so far.
The wargames have been held throughout Iran to promote Basij forces' power and preparedness in confrontation with the potential threats against the country.
The Basij is a paramilitary volunteer force established in 1979 on the Late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini’s order.
The force consists of often young Iranians, who have volunteered, with a strong sense of fidelity to both the Islamic system and the religious beliefs.