Eurasia Press & News
On May 14, 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) news agency published a report on a speech delivered by Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Razavi Khorasan province, at a gathering of the families of the martyrs of the Fatemiyoun Brigade, a martyrdom-seeking militia comprising Afghans fighting Syria and elsewhere.[1]
The Fatemiyoun Brigade was formally established in 2013 by Alireza Tavasoli aka Abu Hamid. It is a successor to the Defenders of the Haram, which emerged during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Its members are mainly Afghan Shi’ites based in Iran, or Afghan refugees and Afghan youths entering Iran looking for work.[2] The Fatemiyoun Brigade is a paramilitary force under the supervision of the Quds Force, the overseas branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Most of those killed while fighting for Iran in the Syrian war were Afghan immigrants who were recruited by the Quds Force into the Fatemiyoun Brigade.
In his speech, Alamolhoda emphasized that the path of those killed in Fatemiyoun Brigade should be continued, urging the families of those killed fighting in the group to train more of their members to join the militia.
Excerpts from the IRIB report are given below:[3]
“Nurturing The Legacies Of These Martyrs Is Your Responsibility And Should Be Such That From Every Mujahid Martyr Several Other Mujahideen Are Trained To Continue The Sacred Path Of The Fatemiyoun Martyrs”
“Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda: The holy path of the Fatemiyoun martyrs should be continued. The establishment of Lashkar Fatemiyoun is a sign of the greatness of Afghan Shi’ites in the history of the Islamic world.
“According to a report from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the representative of the Supreme Leader in Razavi Khorasan province [i.e., Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda] stated: ‘Forming a Lashkar [Brigade] does not require military training and equipment, but rather it requires a rich and strong cultural support, which is the responsibility of the esteemed families of martyrs.’
“Ayatollah Seyyed Ahmad Alamolhoda, today in a meeting with the women and family members of the Fatemiyoun martyrs and fighters and the commanders of Quds Force on the occasion of the establishment of the Lashkar, added: ‘The establishment of this self-sacrificing unit provided an opportunity for small aspects of the greatness of the Afghan Shi’ites’ dignity to emerge and manifest in the form of transnational mujahideen.’
“He continued addressing the members of the Lashkar Fatemiyoun family: ‘The existence of each of you is the manifestation of a storm in a life that was triggered by the martyrdom of a member of your family, and after this fatal incident, now you have continued this saga and duty and you have covered the void of your loved ones.
“Imam Juma Mashhad [the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad city, Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda] added: ‘Your mission today is to preserve this precious heritage, and the flag of the martyrs should not remain on the ground in the continuation of Shi’ite dignity. Nurturing the legacies of these martyrs is your responsibility and should be in a way that from every mujahid martyr several other mujahideen are trained to continue the sacred path of the Fatemiyoun martyrs.'”
“The Families Of The Fatemiyoun Martyrs Are Indeed A Blessing For The Islamic Revolution And The Shi’ite Sect”
“Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda expressed: ‘The Shi’ites of Afghanistan have always been the guardians of the guardianship of the [Family of Muhammad] Ahl al-Bayt (AS) throughout the Islamic world’s history. Since the time when your [Afghan Shi’ites’] ancestors stood against unbelief, arrogance, and divergent and syncretic movements, their sacrifice was to such an extent that Afghan Shi’ites were regarded as an inflexible and non-submissive entity in the equations of hegemonic powers, and these struggles have continued until today.’
“The member of the Assembly of Leadership Experts [Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda], emphasized that beyond nationality, honoring the martyrs of the Lashkar Fatemiyoun and their families is the duty of all Shi’ites and Muslims. He further clarified: ‘Fortunately, today a significant portion of the esteemed families of the Fatemiyoun martyrs are educated and aware, and by utilizing this, we can promote and elucidate the values, principles, and teachings of the Lashkar Fatemiyoun in academic, cultured, and university environments.’
“According to him, the families of the Fatemiyoun martyrs are indeed a blessing for the Islamic Revolution and the Shi’ite sect and honoring them is a responsibility equal to the families of the esteemed martyrs of the sacred defense, the defense of shrine, security and health, which will never fall from our responsibility.
“Ayatollah Alamolhoda said: ‘We seriously pursue meeting the needs and addressing the affairs of the esteemed families of Fatemiyoun martyrs, and we ask Allah almighty to grant us and you the success in safeguarding the spiritual trust of these martyrs.'”
“The Lashkar Fatemiyoun Was Formed Under The Command Of The Martyr [Afghan Commander] Ali Reza Tavassoli In Conjunction With The Days Of Martyrdom Of Hazrat Fatima Zahra [Daughter Of Muhammad And Wife Of Ali]”
“The Shi’ite World Appreciates The Sacrifice Of The Fatemiyoun Fighters.
“The Deputy [Hojjat Gonabadi Nejad] for Cultural, Social, and Pilgrimage Affairs of the Governor of Razavi Khorasan province also stated: ‘The achievements of Fatemiyoun and the Afghan Shi’ite community in the record of the Islamic Revolution are outstanding and brilliant because the first non-Iranians who joined Imam Khomeini’s Movement [of the Islamic Revolution] even before the victory of the revolution were the Shi’ites of Afghanistan.’
“Hojatol Islam Hojjat Gonabadi Nejad added: ‘The role during the eight years of the holy defense [i.e., the Iran-Iraq War] is a testament to these struggles, which reached their peak on the fronts of defense of the shrines and showed the pinnacle of religious honor in the form of Lashkar Mujahid Fatemiyoun.’
“He continued: ‘The praise for the position of Afghan fighters can be seen in the mirror of sincere words of the Secretary General of Hezbollah Lebanon [Hassan Nasrallah], the distinguished commanders of the Quds Force, and even the Supreme Leader of the Revolution [Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei]. These struggles were at the forefront of the victories and achievements during the destruction of ISIS and the defense of the holy shrine of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), and the flag of these sacrifices is still on the shoulders of the noble families of these martyrs and women of Fatemiyoun.’
“The Lashkar Fatemiyoun was formed under the command of the martyr Ali Reza Tavassoli [Afghan commander] in conjunction with the days of martyrdom of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (SA) in 1393 [2014] to combat ISIS.”
[1] Iribnews.ir (Iran), May 14, 2024. [2] MEMRI Inquiry & Analysis Series No. 1759, Contradicting Evidence, Afghan Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid Denies Reports That Iran Is Recruiting Afghans, Child Soldiers For Fatemiyoun Brigade, April 16, 2024. [3] Iribnews.ir (Iran), May 14, 2024.
