Pro-Government Militias

Basij militia (Iran)

Name assigned by coder:	no
PGM ID Number:	242
Country:	Iran
Date formed:	Nov. 26, 1980
Details of Formation:	members included both those too young and too old for military service. Religious motivations but also more recently reference to material incentives to join.
Date dissolved:	Unknown
Details of Termination:	remains active in 2007
Successor group(s):	none
Private Military Company?	no
Government Relation:	type2
Government Link(s):	state/military institution
Training and Equipment	yes
Shared Information and Joint Operations	yes
Shared personnel	no information
Types of Material Support:	domestic government
State Sponsor(s):	none
Other Connection(s):
Membership:	religious; children
Location:
Force Strength:	[2000000, 8000000]
Target(s):	unarmed political opposition, government critics; rebels, insurgents, or other armed group; regular military force
Purpose(s):	protect state, national or religious institutions; protect state, national or religious leader(s); protect national borders and integrity
Other Information:	members included both those too young and too old for military service. Religious motivations but also more recently reference to material incentives to join.