Iran: deadly suicide bomber attack blamed on Western elements
source: http://www.examiner.com/x-2086-Foreign-Policy-Examiner~y2009m10d18-Iran-deadly-suicide-bombe...
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The target was the much feared Revolutionary Guard; they had been an invaluable tool, along with the Basij Islamic militants in quashing protest demonstrations that followed the disputed re-election of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. At least 31 people, including five commanders of the Revolutionary Guard, were killed in a suicide attack attributed to the Sunni insurgency in southeastern Iran on Sunday, according to official news agency IRNA. They have also reported that more than two dozen were injured.
In a recent announcement by the authorities, it was declared that the Basij group would be integrated into the Revolutionary Guards to form an organization with a single command. The size of this new 'force' was not disclosed. Several million people are members of the Basij. In fact, the numbers of the elite Pasdaran remain a state secret.
The United States have accused the Basij of supporting not only radical Iraqi Shiite militias but also the Taliban in Afghanistan, Hamas, and members of the Islamic Jihad against Israel.
In a recent announcement by the authorities, it was declared that the Basij group would be integrated into the Revolutionary Guards to form an organization with a single command. The size of this new 'force' was not disclosed. Several million people are members of the Basij. In fact, the numbers of the elite Pasdaran remain a state secret.
The United States have accused the Basij of supporting not only radical Iraqi Shiite militias but also the Taliban in Afghanistan, Hamas, and members of the Islamic Jihad against Israel.
