Basij Stages Massive Drills in Western, Northern Iran

The Iranian Basiji (Voluntary) forces started massive exercises codenamed ‘Towards Beit al-Moqaddas’ in the Western and Northern provinces of Iran on Friday.

The Basij forces have taken part in exercises in the Western province of Kurdistan and the Northern provinces of Semnan and Gilan.

“20,000 Basij forces who have been organized within the framework of different battalions participated in ‘Towards Beit al-Moqaddas’ wargames to exercise preparedness to fight against possible threats in the region,” Commander of the IRGC’s Beit al-Moqaddas Corps in Kurdistan Brigadier General Mohammad Hossein Rajabi told reporters in Sanandaj city on Friday.

He said that the drills will be held in all towns and cities of Kurdistan in the coming days.

In Semnan province, three Beit al-Moqaddas battalions and Kosar battalions comprising women volunteer forces are taking part in Basij massive drills.

In the Northern city of Astara in Gilan province, the Basij forces also staged drills to enhance their preparedness against enemies’ threats.

Last month, the Basij Forces staged two days of massive drills also dubbed ‘Towards Beit al-Moqaddas’ in Hamedan province, Western Iran.

“Three ‘Beit al Moqaddas’ battalions took part in the wargames conducted in Hamedan province,” Commander of Hamedan IRGC Hassan Barzegar told reporters on October 16.

He reiterated the high level of preparedness of ‘Beit al Moqaddas’ battalions to confront the enemies.

Barzegar mentioned that ambush and counter-attack tactics as well as sensitive centers protection and defense operations will be exercised in the drills.

The Towards Beit al-Moqaddas drills started three years ago and have been conducted in 28 provinces of the country so far.

In Early September, Basij force started two days of wargames in Northeastern Iran to show its defensive preparedness against any possible threat.

“We are trying to stage in the best possible way these ‘towards Beit al-Moqaddas’ drills codenamed Ya Rasoulallah that started in Ardebil province today,” Commander of Brigade 37 of Hazrat Abbas (AS) of Ardebil province Farhang Mostae’ed said.

He announced that during the wargames, the Basij forces’ combat and defensive preparedness as well as their relief and rescue skills will be tested.