#4 In the mid-90s, the Iranian military and the IRGC told the government they would not order their troops into battle to combat civil disturbances,and recommended the Baseej do it. Khamenei then made it so and promoted a civilian to head that force, essentially cutting off the IRGC.
In the past couple of years, the Baseej were given additional training in urban warfare and two brigades were given heavy weapons and the training to use them.
Up until this month, there was no clear line of authority outside of Khamenei; the IRGC didn't know who the Baseej reported to. There were also reports of Baseej and internal-security police referring to the mullahcracy as apostate.
If I had to conjecture, I'd go with both putting the Baseej on a leash, and the IRGC adding a C3I element. According to the news report it was for boosting internal security, but it could also be for strengthening Iran's urban-combat ability.
Or as gr0m said, it could be Bolshevik-redux. |