Voice of America Report on the Role of Iranian Proxy Groups in the Bloody Suppression of Protests in Iran

According to information received by Voice of America, Iraqi militia groups and those formed by the Quds Force from Shiites in Afghanistan and Pakistan have been among the main perpetrators of the killings of people during the protests. In this regard, an Iraqi security official told Voice of America that on Tuesday alone, 40 vehicles belonging to the "Nujaba Movement" crossed the border from Mandali, opposite the Khosravi border in Kermanshah, to assist in the suppression of protests against the Islamic Republic. The "Nujaba Movement" is a militia group affiliated with the Islamic Republic in Iraq and is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States. An Iraqi activist named Muhammad Aflou also told Voice of America that another section of Iraqi Shiite groups has entered Iran from Khuzestan. Additionally, Voice of America sources in Iran reported on Wednesday that aside from Iraqi groups, the Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun militias, composed of Shiites from Afghanistan and Pakistan, have also played a significant role in the killings of people in Iran. Shahou Qara Daghi, an Iraqi analyst, told Voice of America that aside from militia groups, the Islamic Republic has also brought Iraqi media activists close to these groups into Iran to deny the existence of protests and their suppression in Arabic media. Meanwhile, an Iraqi official told CNN that in recent weeks, more than 5,000 Iraqi militia members have entered Iran through the Mehran and Shib (Chazabeh) borders to assist the Islamic Republic in suppressing popular protests. The "Media Line" website had previously reported the entry of 60 buses of Iraqi militia members into Iran. According to this website, each bus carried 50 militia members; thus, in just one instance, 3,000 Iraqi militia members entered Iran to suppress the people. The suppression of protests in Iran has so far resulted in the deaths and injuries of thousands; however, the exact number of fatalities is unclear due to a complete internet shutdown. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has repeatedly expressed his explicit support for Iranian protesters in recent weeks, warning against the massacre of protesters by the Islamic Republic and its repressive apparatus, stating that if protesters are executed, the United States will take "very decisive actions." Following these warnings from President Trump to the Islamic Republic, the U.S. President on Friday, January 26, expressed gratitude on his Truth Social account for the cancellation of planned executions in Iran. A bipartisan letter from Congress to Donald Trump requested internet and satellite assistance for the people of Iran. An American representative stated: The Islamic Republic is weaker than ever; the President of the United States and the United States stand firmly with the brave people of Iran. Eyewitness accounts of the crimes of the IRGC and proxies in Iran; protesters' hope for a "decisive blow" from the U.S. to the regime. A clear and firm message from Donald Trump to the protesters: Continue your protests, seize the institutions; help is on the way.