IRGC Commanders in Kurdistan, West Azerbaijan Replaced

June 30, 2023

2 min read

IRGC head Hussein Salami has issued orders to replace the commanders of the Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Corps, West Azerbaijan Martyrs Corps and Beit al-Moqaddas Corps in Kurdistan

Less than three months ahead of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, the Islamic Republic has replaced the commanders of three units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that have played a significant role in suppressing protests in the western provinces of Kurdistan and West Azerbaijan.

IRGC head Hussein Salami has issued orders to replace the commanders of the Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Corps, West Azerbaijan Martyrs Corps and Beit al-Moqaddas Corps in Kurdistan.

Mohammad Taqi Osanlo, the new commander in the Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Corps, a unit primarily focused on the fight against Kurdish groups opposing the Islamic Republic, is subjected to EU and UK sanctions.

became the new commander of the West Azerbaijan Martyrs Corps. From 2010 to 2019, Rajabi was in charge of the Shaheed Shahramfar Provincial Corps and the Beit al-Moqqadas Army in Kurdistan province. Afterward, he served as an adviser to the commander of the army’s ground forces.

Amanullah Ghashtasbi was appointed as the new commander of the Beit al-Moqqadas Corps. Ghashtasbi previously served as the deputy head of the ground forces of IRGC’s elite Quds Force. He also led the Sabrin special unit of the IRGC ground forces and the 110th Salman Farsi Ranger Brigade in the south-eastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan.

While reshuffles within the IRGC leadership are common occurrences, the latest changes come ahead of the first anniversary of Amini’s death in police custody on September 16, 2022.

The death sparked months of nationwide protests against the Islamic Republic that were met with brutal forces by the authorities. More than 520 people were killed during protests and over 20,000 others were unlawfully detained, activists say. Following biased trials, the judiciary has handed down stiff sentences, including the death penalty, to protesters.

The Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Corps, West Azerbaijan Martyrs Corps and Beit al-Moqqadas Corps were used to crack down on dissent in the provinces of Kurdistan and West Azerbaijan. They were involved in attacks against Kurdish parties opposed to the Islamic Republic, particularly in Kurdistan.