Concentrating on the Enemy: The Transformation Under-Fire of Former Regime Militias into Post-Conflict Guerrillas
Abstract
This monograph examines the transition of the Iraqi Saddam Fedayeen militia into a guerrilla organization in an attempt to discern methods that might be used against the Niruyeh Moghavemat Basij (Mobilisation Resistance Force) militia in the event of a war with Iran. The author uses Dr. Joe Strange's method of identifying the "center of gravity" and consequent critical vulnerabilities overlaying a System of Systems Analysis (SoSA) framework. By evaluating the critical capabilities, requirements, and vulnerabilities of the Saddam Fedayeen along the SoSA political, military, economic, social, infrastructure, and information (PMESII) construct, and contrasting this framework with Iran and the Basij militia, operational planners can potentially identify successful and unsuccessful patterns and methods to prevent the Basij from transitioning into a guerrilla force. Military means alone will not suffice to isolate the Basij from the people. As a larger force embedded throughout Iranian society, the Basij present a much more complex problem than the Saddam Fedayeen. However, the Basij are similar to the Saddam Fedayeen in their participation in repressive acts at the behest of the government, and they are viewed with caution by many Iranians. The primary difference between the Saddam Fedayeen and the Iranian Basij is the ideological commitment of the members of the organization. The Saddam Fedayeen, a secular force that was personally and viciously attached to Saddam Hussein, fell apart after the death of Saddam's sons and the capture of Saddam himself. The Saddam Fedayeen then turned their loyalties towards Islamic guerilla organizations that were more successful because of their cultural affinity with the Iraqi, specifically Sunni, people. The ideology of the Basij is religious and therefore presents a much stronger link to the Islamic Revolutionary Government of Iran than the Saddam Fedayeen's loyalty to an individual.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450832
Entities
People
- Charles A. Western
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College