Attack on the headquarters of Iran’s most feared force! America said, crushed the ‘snake’s head’, is IRGC the backbone of Iran?

Israel-Iran War Update: The US military announced on Monday that it had completely destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s elite force Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran. America described this attack as “cutting off the head of the snake”.

This action is part of the ongoing military ‘Operation Epic Fury’ of America and Israel, in which Iran’s top leadership has been targeted. According to the American claim, many prominent leaders including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have been killed in this campaign and the offices of important administrative and ministries in the capital have been heavily damaged.

Attack on IRGC headquarters, what did America say?

The US Central Command (Centcom) wrote on social media, “Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has killed more than 1,000 Americans in the last 47 years. Yesterday’s massive US attack cut off the head of the snake.”

What is IRGC?

IRGC is a special branch of Iran’s armed forces, which was established after the Islamic Revolution of 1979 to protect the country’s Islamic system. This organization became stronger under the leadership of Ali Khamenei and worked directly under his control. After this attack, the American said that we have the most powerful army in the world, and now there is no IRGC headquarters left.

IRGC includes the Army, Navy and Air Force. Apart from this, an internal security force ‘Basij’ and an external operation force “IRGC-Quds Force (IRGC-QF)” are also part of it.

What is the work of IRGC-Quds Force?

IRGC-QF is one of the major units of the Iranian regime, which carries out covert and deadly operations outside Iran. It is also said to include asymmetric warfare and terrorist activities. Iran sees terrorism as a means to deter its enemies, assert leadership among Shia Muslims around the world, and project its power in the Middle East.

IRGC-QF has conducted covert operations in many parts of the world. It provides guidance, training, money and weapons to its allies and proxy groups. Especially supports Shia extremist groups of the Middle East.

How many members does IRGC have?

IRGC has approximately 1,50,000 to 1,90,000 personnel. IRGC-QF has approximately 5,000 to 15,000 members. They are selected from the larger IRGC force and their loyalty to the regime is considered firm.

What are the allegations against IRGC?

IRGC-QF is accused of targeting opposition groups of America, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran. It uses its intelligence and military power to support its own operations and those of its allies. In some cases, elements of the IRGC have also been accused of working in collaboration with criminal groups.

It is alleged that the IRGC has provided modern military equipment to Lebanon’s Hezbollah, including air defense systems, coastal defense cruise missiles, long-range rockets and drone systems. Similarly, Iraq’s Shia militants were supplied with anti-aircraft weapons, explosive devices (IEDs), rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and drones.

What is America’s stance on IRGC?

The US declared IRGC a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in April 2019. In October 2007, the US also declared the IRGC-QF a foreign terrorist organization and included the then commander Qassem Soleimani and the current IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hussein Salami on the list of “Specially Designated Global Terrorists” (SDGT).

What are the details of Operation Epic Fury?

• According to a US Army fact sheet, more than 1,000 Iranian targets have been attacked so far under “Operation Epic Fury” launched on Saturday.
• The US claims that in this campaign, Iran’s top leadership – including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – has been killed and the country’s military and administrative infrastructure has been destroyed.
• The targets of the attacks include the IRGC’s Joint Headquarters, Command and Control Center, the headquarters of the IRGC Aerospace Force, integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile sites, Iranian naval ships and submarines, anti-ship missile bases and military communications infrastructure.
• Centcom shared another video, which showed the bombing of an Iranian aircraft parked at an airbase.
• According to Iranian officials, more than 200 people have died since the attacks began.