Alarmed at Mojahedin's operations, mullahs step up their repressive measures

Following the escalation in the operations of the Mojahedin in Iran, Rafsanjani met yesterday with commanders of the State Security Forces where he admitted to "the prevailing crises" in the country. Referring to "conspiracies and massive investments" for "striking blows at the Islamic Republic," Rafsanjani praised the "important and vital" role of the State Security Forces, particularly that of the intelligence section, in maintaining national security.

Rafsanjani's meeting is one in a series of measures taken by the mullahs' regime to confront the Mojahedin's expanding operations in Iran.

The Mojahedin units in Iran have carried out 51 operations since the beginning of February '98, in an area of 1,500 sq. kms of the Iranian territory. In seven operations, the Mojahedin took military control of large areas in Ilam, Kermanshah and Khuzistan provinces during their operations. Three extensive clashes occurred in Khuzistan and Ilam, during which dozens of the clerical regime's forces were killed or wounded.

Having mobilized the forces of the Intelligence Ministry, the Guards Corps and the State Security Forces, the mullahs' regime launched an attack on March 1 on two units of the Mojahedin in the Iraqi territory. The confrontation lasted hours and dozens of the regime's Guards were killed or wounded. The corpses of 38 of the regime's dead were counted in the confrontation zone.

Alarmed at the escalation of the Mojahedin's operations, Mohammad Khatami, the mullahs' President, and Abdollah Noori, the Interior Minister, traveled to Khuzistan and Ilam provinces, in the past weeks.

On March 9, the Deputy Governor of Ahwaz, southwestern province of Khuzistan, announced that new security teams will be formed in this province. At the same time, Ilam radio quoted the commander of the State Security Forces in Ilam as saying that his forces will double their security measures in that province by setting up more make-shift stations and patrols across the province.

The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran
March 12, 1998

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