About 110,000-strong force of Bassijis, a fundamentalist Islamic militia, are "ready to go" to the Palestinian territories "if necessary" to take part in the uprising against Israel, a senior Iranian military official said Thursday.
"These 110,000 Bassijis," who have started maneuvers in southern Tehran, are "ready to go, if necessary directly from here to Palestine," Massoud Djazayeri, head of the cultural section of the army's elite Pasdarans unit, was quoted as telling the Kayhan daily.
The maneuvers have been baptized "those loyal to Imam Ali going toward Qods (the Arabic name for Jerusalem)," and are aimed at a "fictitious enemy," according to the paper.
They are being been supported by air units and helicopters from Pasdarans, whose name means Guardians of the Revolution, and were organized in solidarity with the Palestinian "Intifada," or uprising.
A former Bassiji commander, Ali-Reza Afshar, was quoted as saying the exercises were "an excellent chance to coordinate volunteers to leave for Jerusalem."
"The Bassijis, who are Muslims ready to become martyrs, are participating in these difficult maneuvers to prove their abilities and declare they are ready to engage in a jihad against the occupier Israel," said an 18-year-old member of the militia, referring to a holy war.
"By the order of the Leader of the Revolution (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) they are ready for victory or martyrdom," he said.
Iran's leadership has declared since the start of the Palestinian clashes on September 28 their "solidarity with the new Intifada."
Iran does not recognize Israel, and is opposed to the peace process – TEHRAN (AFP)
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