Just in case you or your friends whom you send info about this war in Iran don’t know the difference between Artesh and the IRGC (Iranian Republican Guard Corp) here is AI info:
“AI Overview:
==The Artesh (Islamic Republic of Iran Army) is Iran’s conventional military, responsible for protecting national borders and territorial integrity. As one of two parallel Iranian militaries—the other being the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—the Artesh focuses on traditional warfare with ground, air, navy, and air defense branches.
Key Aspects of the Artesh:
—Role & Structure: Unlike the ideological IRGC, the Artesh is a conventional force with approximately 340,000–420,000 active personnel. It oversees national security and conventional defense.
—Branches: It comprises the Ground Forces, Air Force, Navy, and Air Defense Force.
—Leadership: The Commander-in-Chief is appointed directly by Iran’s Supreme Leader, ensuring loyalty.
—Distinction from IRGC: While the Artesh focuses on conventional territorial defense, the IRGC handles asymmetric warfare and protects the Islamic establishment’s internal structure.
—Origins: The Artesh predates the 1979 Islamic Revolution (formerly the Imperial State of Iran army), leading to historical suspicion regarding its loyalty, although it has since been deeply integrated with political ideological officers.
==The Artesh works under the general supervision of the Armed Forces General Staff and is heavily involved in managing border areas.”
Given that the IRGC seems to be holding on to the goodies itself, and not supplying Artesh with needed food and other supplies, how likely is a rift between the two bodies? Has any of the top leadership of Artesh been deliberately killed as compared to top leadership of the IRGC? I believe the Israelis made a point of hitting top IRGC command. Below is more info on the IRGC from AI, with some [additions] by me:
“AI Overview
==The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Artesh are parallel military branches in Iran. The IRGC is an elite, ideologically driven force tasked with protecting the regime and expanding its influence, while the Artesh is the conventional army responsible for defending national borders. The IRGC holds superior funding, political influence, and control over missile and, through the Quds Force, foreign operations, whereas the Artesh holds more traditional military roles.
Key Differences:
*Role and Mission:
—IRGC (Guardians of the Revolution): Created in 1979 to prevent internal threats and protect the Islamic system, it holds high ideological, political, and economic power.
—Artesh (Conventional Army): Focused on conventional defense of Iran’s territory, borders, and airspace.
*Command Structure & Loyalty:
—IRGC: Reports directly to the Supreme Leader, functioning as his personal army.
—Artesh: Operates separately but is seen as less ideologically aligned than the IRGC.
*Funding and Resources: The IRGC is better funded and equipped, controlling major parts of the economy, whereas the Artesh often operates with older, conventional hardware.
*Structure and Units:
—IRGC: Comprised of ground forces, navy, air force, and the Quds Force (foreign operations), along with control over the Basij militia. [AI did not include numbers of troops, but I saw a while ago something like 1/2 million.]
—Artesh: Traditional military structure (Navy, Army, Air Force).
*Influence: The IRGC has a widespread presence across provinces and wields significant influence in regional conflicts, while the Artesh is generally more limited to conventional, domestic defense. [IRGC also controls the Basij, formed in 1979 by Khomeini and comprised of volunteer young Iranians and loyalists to the regime. Basij claims to have a presence in many public institutions including factories, universities, and schools, according to Wikipedia. (numbers unknown)]
Note: The two organizations are intentionally kept as rivals by Iran’s leadership to prevent coups, resulting in overlapping responsibilities but separate operations, say videos on Facebook from Aljazeera.”
I suspect a lot of the future of this war in Iran will depend on whether the Artesh can be convinced to support a possible pre Islamic style new government with more freedom for the people.
Thanks