TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- The commander of Iran’s volunteer Basij forces said on Sunday regional nations have emulated Iran in forming mobilization forces.
In an address to parliament, Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani highlighted the significant role of Basij in shaping the Islamic Revolution’s defense strategy during the Iraqi-imposed war on Iran in the 1980s.
The participation of Iran’s voluntary forces in major battles has contributed to the formation of mobilization forces in other Muslim countries, such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen, the commander added.
Soleimani praised the Basij forces for presenting a unique model of strategic performance in the battlefield and serving national interests.
Basij is a paramilitary voluntary force established in 1979 on the order of the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini.
The force, a subsidiary of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) consists of often young Iranians volunteers with a strong conviction in the Islamic system and religion.
On Sunday, the IRGC commander in the western province of Kurdistan said the two forces together are implementing more than 3,500 development projects in less privileged regions.
"Basij is a popular, powerful, intelligent, and punctual force and much of the country's security is provided by this hard working group,” General Sadeq Husseini said as he honored the Basij Week.
"Basij has carried out a lot of construction world in the province and implemented projects as quickly as possible at the lowest cost and highest standards,” he added.
Up to 3,540 projects being carried out by Basij and IRGC forces will be completed this year, helping stem poverty in the province, the commander went on to say.
The IRGC has carried out extensive plans in recent years for the development of border provinces and underprivileged areas.
IRGC forces have been also actively involved in rescue and relief operations in natural disasters across Iran.