Kurdish Policy Analysis

Iran Deploys Foreign Militias for Internal Security as IRGC Divides Country into Zones

Dr. Pshitwan Faraj. SULAIMANI — April 18 — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly deployed thousands of foreign Shiite fighters from Afghan, Pakistani, and Iraqi militias inside the country, according to sources cited by Alhurra and Kurdish opposition figures.

The move—if confirmed—would mark one of the most significant internal security reorganizations in recent years, coming amid heightened tensions with the United States and Israel, as well as fears in Tehran of renewed domestic unrest driven by economic strain and recent military setbacks.

IRGC Divides Iran into Three Security Zones

According to sources familiar with the plan, the IRGC has divided Iran into three internal security zones, assigning responsibility to foreign-aligned militias that previously operated abroad.

• Fatemiyoun Brigade (Afghan fighters): tasked with securing central and northern Iran, including Tehran, as well as parts of the east
• Zainebiyoun Brigade (Pakistani fighters): deployed in southeastern Iran, particularly Sistan-Baluchistan and coastal areas along the Gulf of Oman
• Iraqi militias: including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Badr Organization, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and others, positioned in western and southwestern regions such as Ahvaz, Ilam, Kermanshah, and Sanandaj

The IRGC has not publicly confirmed the reported deployment.

What Is the Fatemiyoun Brigade?

• Afghan Shiite militia backed by Iran’s IRGC
• Established in 2013 under the Quds Force
• Recruited largely from Afghan refugees
• Played a major frontline role in Syria

What Is the Zainebiyoun Brigade?

• Pakistani Shiite militia linked to the IRGC
• Smaller but strategically deployed
• Active in Syria alongside Iranian-backed forces
• Operates under the Quds Force structure

From Syria’s Battlefields to Iran’s Interior

The militias involved were originally formed as part of Iran’s external proxy strategy during the Syrian civil war.

Both Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun fighters participated in major battles in Aleppo, Damascus, Palmyra, and Latakia, gaining experience in urban warfare and asymmetric operations.

Sources cited by Alhurra claim that following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, elements of these forces were withdrawn into Iraq and later repositioned toward Iran through IRGC-linked logistical networks.

Internal Security Role and Crackdown Concerns

According to the report, the militias’ role inside Iran includes:

• Establishing checkpoints
• Securing military and strategic infrastructure
• Conducting raids targeting suspected opposition or foreign-linked networks

Authorities are also said to be presenting the groups publicly as part of “civilian support” initiatives to mask their security function.

In April, IRGC-linked media reportedly showed militia participation in public motorcades in Tehran, displaying both Iranian and militia flags alongside images of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Why Is Iran Using Foreign Militias Internally?

Analysts point to several possible reasons:

• Concerns over loyalty within domestic forces
• Desire for politically reliable units during unrest
• Expansion of Iran’s proxy doctrine into internal security

The shift suggests a growing willingness to rely on external fighters for domestic stability.

What This Means for Kurdish and Peripheral Regions

The reported deployment could have direct implications for sensitive regions such as:

• Kurdistan (Sanandaj, Kermanshah)
• Ahvaz (Khuzestan)
• Sistan-Baluchistan

Possible risks include:

• Increased militarization
• More aggressive crackdowns
• Heightened ethnic and political tensions

Analysts: A Sign of Internal Fragility

Observers say the move reflects pressure on Iran’s internal security system.

According to Samir Yassin of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz, the militias function as rapid-response forces in unrest scenarios.

Other analysts, including Kurdish opposition figure Farzin Karbasi, argue the deployment signals declining confidence in Iran’s internal military cohesion.

“The regime is increasingly dependent on external fighters because it doubts the reliability of its own forces,” he said.

A Shift in Iran’s Military Strategy

Experts say the reported move represents a significant transformation in Iran’s doctrine.

Instead of projecting power abroad through proxies, Tehran may now be bringing those same forces inward to secure its own territory.

International analyst Amer al-Sabaileh described the strategy as preparation for potential internal instability:

“The concern is not only external war but internal breakdown triggered by it.”

Risks and Controversy

Critics warn that deploying foreign fighters inside Iran’s diverse regions could deepen tensions.

Concerns include:

• Lack of local accountability
• Risk of human rights abuses
• Creation of a parallel security structure

“This creates a system outside social oversight,” said Salah Abu Sharif al-Ahvazi.

What Happens Next? (Key Scenarios)

Scenario 1: Limited Deployment

Militias serve as deterrence without large-scale use

Scenario 2: Internal Crackdown

They are actively deployed during unrest

Scenario 3: Regional Spillover

Actions inside Iran trigger cross-border reactions

Conclusion: A Sign of Strategic Stress

While not independently confirmed, the reported deployment highlights Iran’s evolving security strategy under pressure.

If verified, it would mark a rare reversal in Iranian military doctrine—bringing foreign proxy forces back into the heart of the Islamic Republic to secure its own security.

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