Who are the resistance units in Iran inspired by Jean Moulin?
- Who are these Resistance Units in Iran?
- Inspired by Jean Moulin
- The October 7th War: a confrontation with youth and women
- Structure of the Resistance Units
- International impact of the Resistance Units
History has shown time and again that, no matter how powerful the military or how technologically advanced the forces of repression, they are incapable of defeating an organized movement rooted in its people and driven by the ideal of freedom.
The fall of the Syrian dictatorship is a perfect illustration of this truth, just as the Nazis failed to extinguish the flame of the French Resistance.
Recently, a new phenomenon has emerged in the Iranian people's struggle against tyranny. This phenomenon, known as the Resistance Units, was created by the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), the main Iranian opposition movement and a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
Today, these units have reached maturity. For ten years, the Iranian dictator has been doing everything in his power to prevent the international community from discovering the existence of these Resistance Units, which are present throughout Iran.
Despite the imprisonment and execution of thousands of their members by the mullahs, these units continue to grow in both numbers and influence.
Who are these Resistance Units in Iran?
Each Resistance Unit brings together individuals from different social backgrounds: students, workers, intellectuals, doctors, nurses, small shopkeepers and former political prisoners. Aware of the risks they run, members of the Resistance Units risk their lives to confront the regime's repressive machine.
For 45 years, the survival of the Iranian dictatorship has been based on brutal repression and incessant massacres. With its numerous intelligence agencies, military forces and security organs, the Iranian theocracy has succeeded in maintaining the illusion of an invincible regime, which no internal or external force could oppose.
Through their proxy armed groups and missile program, the mullahs have also spread fear throughout the Middle East. Their nuclear program and cross-border terrorist activities are designed to intimidate neighboring countries and send messages of terror, directly or indirectly, all the way to Europe.
“We will triumph because we are stronger”.
Inspired by Jean Moulin
Faced with this strategy of fear, the Unités de Résistance reacted with courage. Every day, they attack this repressive policy by setting fire to the regime's symbols, writing protest slogans on walls and displaying banners and placards in public places across Iran. These constant actions prevent fear from taking hold in society.
Inspired by the words of Jean Moulin and the heroes of the Resistance: “Even when the enemy seems invincible, resistance and unity can lead to victory”, the Resistance Units embody this spirit of resilience and struggle. Their success stems from the flame lit by what has come to be known as the October 7th War.
The October 7th War: a confrontation with youth and women
In 2019, the world saw the emergence of the 2000s generation during the uprisings in Iran. Then, in 2022, the courage of Iranian women drew international attention.
Khamenei clearly understood the message of these two movements: he couldn't stop this generation from revolting. To prevent a new uprising that could lead to the collapse of his regime, Khamenei orchestrated what is now known as the October 7 war. But this strategy backfired, with dramatic consequences: the fall of the Syrian dictator, the weakening of Hamas and Hezbollah, and other setbacks that pushed his regime to the brink.
Structure of the Resistance Units
The Resistance Units came into being in 2014, thanks to the initiative of the PMOI headquarters. These units are often referred to as the Génération Principielle. They carry on the legacy of the resistance fighters of the scorching summer of 1988, when political prisoners refused to renounce their commitment to freedom and democracy in the face of pressure from the regime.
These heroes said no to the retrograde beliefs of Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic, but 30,000 of them - 90% of whom were PMOI members - were executed on his orders. Despite this tragedy, the Resistance Units, also known as Rebellion Centers, keep the flame of the struggle for freedom alive today.
Characteristics of Resistance Units
- Flexible, scalable structure:
Resistance Units are made up of three or more members from their home town or neighborhood. Thanks to their social ties, they expand, multiply and ensure their own security.
- Breaking the cycle of fear:
Their main contribution has been to prevent fear from dominating society. For example, after the violent repression of the 2009 uprising, there were no further significant uprisings for eight years. However, in 2019, 1,500 young people were killed by direct fire on the dictator's orders. Despite this, the Resistance Units continued their activities, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Khamenei banned the import of reliable vaccines.
- Unifying slogans:
The Resistance Units succeeded in unifying the slogans of the uprisings, directing them against the dictator. Messages like “Neither Shah, nor Mullah” neutralized the regime's efforts to divert attention from its inevitable downfall.
- Security challenges:
The Iranian regime has deployed surveillance cameras to identify and capture members of the Resistance Units. Despite this, these units continue their actions, often carried out at night.
International impact of the Resistance Units
The Resistance Units see themselves as the forces of a democratic alternative in Iran, represented by the CNRI. They nullify the regime's propaganda, which claims that change in Iran would lead to chaos or civil war.
“We are stronger than executions and massacres”.
Some achievements of the Resistance Units over the past year:
1. Parliamentary election boycott campaign (February 2023):
Ahead of the parliamentary elections, the Resistance Units ran a nationwide campaign to encourage citizens to boycott the ballot.
Through graffiti, banners and other visible actions in all major cities, including Tehran, they denounced the legitimacy of these manipulated elections.
Remarkable result: in the capital, over 90% of the population, including soldiers and prisoners who were often forced to vote, refused to participate.
2. International Women's Rights Day (March 8, 2023):
On the occasion of International Women's Rights Day, the Resistance Units highlighted the fundamental role of Iranian women in the fight against the misogynist regime.
In cities like Tehran and many others, they widely publicized the slogan:
“Woman, Resistance, Freedom”,
with banners, graffiti and leaflets distributed in public places.
At the same time, they promoted Maryam Rajavi's 10-point plan, which emphasizes: secularism, gender equality, economic justice, freedom of expression, abolition of the death penalty, a nuclear-free Iran and true democracy.
3. Commemoration of the victims of the 1988 massacre (May 2023):
In May, the Resistance Units coordinated over 3,000 actions across Iran to pay tribute to the 30,000 victims of the 1988 massacre.
Their powerful message: “The quest for justice will continue until the regime is overthrown.”
They displayed banners and inscribed slogans to remind us that this tragedy remains an open wound that will only be closed with the fall of the regime.
4. Support for the Free Iran rally (June 2023):
During the major Free Iran rally, held in Paris and several European cities, the Resistance Units stepped up their activities in Iran with no fewer than 10,000 separate actions.
They put up banners, distributed leaflets and created graffiti with slogans such as “Neither Shah, nor Mullah”.
In addition, they disseminated Maryam Rajavi's 10-point plan for Iran's democratic future.
Significantly, 20,000 video messages in support of the Free Iran 2024 rally were sent from Iran, doubling the previous year's record.
5. Confronting the wave of executions (August 2024):
In August, the Resistance Units took a stand against the regime's brutal repression, denouncing in particular, “29 executions in one bloody Wednesday: Khamenei's cruel revenge against the Iranian people.”
At the same time, they propagated the emblematic slogan: “We are stronger than executions and massacres.”
The Resistance Units also organized campaigns in several cities to protest against the death sentences handed down to six political prisoners accused of being PMOI members.
6. Commemorating the 2019 uprising:
To mark the anniversary of the 2019 uprising, the Resistance Units coordinated 100 symbolic actions across the country.
These included graffiti, banners and slogans written on walls in public places.
The aim: to break down the wall of fear that the regime seeks to impose on Iranian society.
7. Anniversary of Bloody Friday in Khash (Baluchistan province):
On the anniversary of Bloody Friday in the town of Khash, the Resistance Units organized several actions to honor the victims of this tragedy.
During Massoud Pezeshkian's visit to the region, they chanted slogans such as:
- “Pezeshkian, leave here, Baluchistan is not your place.”
- “Zahedan is no place for criminals.”
8. Protest against repressive hijab law (December 2023):
In December, the Resistance Units reacted strongly to the oppressive Hijab and Chastity Law by displaying large banners in several cities, with the slogan:
“Woman, Resistance, Freedom.”
In Zahedan, demonstrators held a march with placards reading:
“The fall of the Syrian dictator heralds the collapse of religious fascism in Iran.”
Over the past year, the Resistance Units have proved their ability to challenge the Iranian regime both on the ground and in the ideological arena. Their message is clear and unequivocal: “We are stronger than executions and massacres.
Hamid Enayat, political scientist and Iran specialist, works with the Iranian Democratic Opposition (CNRI).
Published in La Dépêche du Midi