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Iran relies on Pakistani, MidEast militias as regime works to curb renewed protests, expert says

From Jerusalem Post · (8h ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Iranian regime is reportedly using foreign militias from Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan to suppress domestic protests.
  • These militias, operating in civilian clothing and carrying machine guns, are allegedly imposing terror to prevent citizens from taking to the streets.
  • An expert suggests these actions indicate the regime's weakness and growing concern over potential unrest fueled by internal power struggles and economic hardship.

According to Effi Banai, a social network expert interviewed by 103FM, the Iranian regime is resorting to employing foreign militias to quell potential domestic unrest. This strategy, involving fighters from Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan, is seen as a desperate measure to maintain control amidst growing public discontent. Banai's analysis, based on social media content emerging from Iran, suggests these foreign elements are operating with impunity, often in civilian attire but armed with machine guns, and are actively intimidating the population.

We see the pressure on the regime on social media. They have brought in militias from abroad, from Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They are helping them impose order.

— Effi BanaiDescribing the regime's use of foreign militias to suppress dissent.

The presence of Arabic-speaking militiamen, noticeable to locals, further fuels public awareness and resentment, as highlighted in social media discussions. This tactic of deploying foreign forces to impose order is a stark indicator of the regime's perceived weakness and its fear of renewed protests. The expert points out that the regime is acutely aware of the populace's hunger and desperation, stemming from economic hardship and the recent month-long war, which has depleted national reserves.

They go around in trucks, in civilian clothing, carrying machine guns. The soldiers speak Arabic rather than Persian, [which the locals notice and comment about on social media]. They are imposing terror in the streets so that people won’t go out and protest.

— Effi BanaiDetailing the methods used by the foreign militias to intimidate the population.

Banai also touches upon the internal power dynamics, specifically mentioning the disappearance of Mojtaba Khamenei and the increasing influence of the IRGC. This internal struggle between the elected government and the more hardline IRGC, who may lack understanding of the populace's suffering, is seen as exacerbating the instability. The expert predicts that the IRGC will eventually face the consequences of their policies, implying that the current repressive measures are unsustainable and likely to backfire, leading to further public outcry.

The regime knows its people are hungry, desperate, and are afraid they will take to the streets again.

— Effi BanaiExplaining the underlying reasons for the regime's fear of public protests.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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