Iran’s Basij militia plans a wider network of public-square training bases for the Janfada campaign, with sites proposed in provincial capitals to prepare volunteers for potential defense roles, Iran International reported.
Iran International reported that Ali Kowsari, the Basij’s deputy for training, outlined the plan at an Oct. 3 news conference. It calls for at least 14 training bases in Tehran squares and one to three training sites in each provincial capital. Kowsari also said 1,000 battalions were ready for training and permission had been granted to form 1,000 to 2,000 more.
Kowsari described training in urban defense and rescue, as well as handling Kalashnikov rifles and Browning firearms. Iran International reported that volunteers would also become familiar with machine guns, small drones and shoulder-fired weapons. Kowsari said advanced trainees could join Basij formations or be sent to operational areas if needed.
State-run Tasnim reported a Janfada exercise in Sanandaj on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Al Jazeera has described activities in several provinces and reported that Kowsari did not say how many cities were already participating.
Al Jazeera reported that the campaign began in late March during the war with the United States and Israel. The Janfada website presents registration as readiness to defend Iran against what it calls U.S.-Israeli threats and advises people not to register children. Al Jazeera reported that Education Minister Alireza Kazemi said the Basij was registering “student Janfadas” and planning ceremonies involving children. The outlet also reported a Gilan resident’s account that street stations disrupted commutes and featured weapons demonstrations, alongside objections in Rasht to noise and street closures.
The government says 33 million people have registered. Al Jazeera reported that authorities had provided no evidence for that total; the Associated Press said Sept. 18 that it could not independently confirm an earlier government claim of more than 30 million sign-ups. Al Jazeera also cited the Iran-Iraq War as a precedent: after Iraq invaded in 1980, hundreds of thousands volunteered for front-line service through the Basij.
