Iran’s authorities take ‘self-sacrifice’ mobilisation campaign nationwide | US-Israel war on Iran News
Iran Increases Campaign to Mobilize Civilians Amid Rising Tensions
Iranian authorities are intensifying efforts to arm and train civilians as part of a broader campaign aimed at reinforcing state security against potential threats, both domestic and foreign. The initiative comes amid escalating concerns that hostilities with the United States and Israel could reignite.
Launched in late March, the public mobilization effort, known as Janfada, translates to “those who sacrifice their life.” Initially conceived during heightened tensions with the U.S. and Israel, the campaign has since expanded to various regions across the country, targeting both men and women, although it emphasizes youth participation.
Representatives from the Basij militia, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), are setting up numerous booths across urban areas to provide training for civilians in the use of weapons and defensive tactics to uphold government values and interests.
State-organized events and armed drills linked to the Janfada campaign have been conducted in major cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad, as well as in smaller towns throughout Iran’s 31 provinces.
Ali Kowsari, the Basij’s deputy for training, revealed in a recent news conference that at least 14 primary squares in Tehran are set to serve as training stations for volunteers. He indicated plans to establish at least one to three similar sites in every province, although he did not specify how many are currently operational.
Nighttime activities are frequently combined with daytime rallies, promoting state-supported events. A resident of Gilan province noted the visibility of these mobilization stations during daily commutes, describing competitive events for small prizes that include live ammunition training.
“I have seen contests where participants learn to load magazines, handle pistols and assault rifles, and practice aiming and firing,” the resident said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to safety concerns. “The organizers are typically older individuals who gather almost nightly in the central square, often playing revolutionary music and broadcasting chants.”
In Gilan’s city of Rasht on October 15, local residents voiced their grievances regarding noise and road obstructions caused by pro-government gatherings, which escalated into confrontations captured in social media videos. Authorities have not released any statements regarding the incidents.
Recently, officials warned residents near Tehran in Alborz province to expect loud noises and explosions from a Janfada drill.
The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency described a large mobilization in the Kurdish region of Iran last week as an exercise in “unity” between Shia and Sunni Muslims. However, some Iranian human rights organizations outside the country have labeled these armed mobilization efforts as intimidation tactics following widespread protests earlier this year, which resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
Iranian officials have acknowledged protests in more than 400 counties but categorize them as an attempted coup orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel. The government has dismissed findings from a United Nations fact-finding mission that indicated possible crimes against humanity in its responses to the protest movements.
Mehran Kamrava, a professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, commented that the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel has provided a platform for more revolutionary factions within Iranian society. He noted, “Revolutions are like riding a bicycle. To avoid a nasty fall, you must pedal hard. This is precisely what the Janfadas and their leaders are trying to do—to remain relevant.”
The government has claimed that 33 million Iranians have registered for the campaign via its official website. However, independent sources previously revealed that the actual number of registrants is significantly lower. Only a phone number was required for registration, with no national identification necessary.
The IRGC commander in Lorestan province, Nematollah Bagheri, stated that the campaign aims to demonstrate mutual support between the government and its citizens. Organizers assert that registered participants could be mobilized for future rescue operations and other support roles.
Despite the government’s ongoing push to expand this military mobilization, experts believe such initiatives may not necessarily enhance the state’s legitimacy among the broader population. Instead, they reinforce existing ideological support while fostering a “siege mentality” among the regime’s base.
