Basij

The Basij is a paramilitary volunteer organization in Iran, subordinate to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). They function as an internal security force, enforcing social norms and suppressing dissent. Recent news indicates the Basij is allegedly recruiting children as young as 12 for security roles, including patrols and checkpoints, amid ongoing conflict. This has drawn international condemnation. Furthermore, reports suggest that facilities associated with internal security, potentially including Basij centers, have been targeted in US and Israeli strikes within Iran. These actions are purportedly aimed at weakening the Iranian state. The Basij's activities and its role in the current conflict contribute to the internal divisions within Iranian society and fuel a narrative of martyrdom and sacrifice that strengthens the Islamic Republic.