Thousands of Iranian Revolutionary Guardsmen Deployed for Crackdown On Opposition

Debkafiles ^ | June 17, 2009, 9:17 PM (GMT+02:00)

[lewisglad]

Thousands of Iranian Revolutionary Guardsmen deployed for crackdown on opposition DEBKAfile Exclusive Report

June 17, 2009, 9:17 PM (GMT+02:00)

Iran's Special Police Forces on the ready Wednesday afternoon, June 17, armored convoys of Revolutionary Guard forces began rolling into Tehran from three directions to prevent supporters of the opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi assembling on the fifth day after the disputed presidential election, DEBKAfile's Iranian sources report.

Special IRGC forces and police units are being flown in. Hundreds of opposition activities have been arrested, including some economic experts who criticized president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's policies in recent months, after three reformist politicians, including a former Vice President and adviser to former president Mohammed Khatami, were detained Tuesday.

Nonetheless, a number of demonstrators did turn out Wednesday afternoon and Mousavi defied supreme ruler Ayatollah Khamenei's demand for the defeated presidential challengers to refrain from stirring up more tension, by calling on his website for supporters to gather Thursday to silently and peacefully commemorate their fellows shot by security forces Monday night and protest the rigged election.

Because security forces are expected to block 7th Tir Square, the opposition leader advised his followers to assemble in mosques as well as the streets in mark of solidarity with the victims.

DEBKAfile's Iranian sources report the confrontation between the regime and Iran's protest movement is closer than ever to a bloody climax. Thursday, June 18, may be critical. This will depend on Mousavi proving able to call up masses of supporters in the face of ominous signs that large military forces are assembling in Tehran to shoot them down.

Ahead of a showdown, the authorities have imposed tough new restrictions on foreign press coverage and attempted to block text messaging and the Internet albeit with partial success.

[NEMDF]

This is going to get ugly.

[gaijin]

Oh great...DEBKA..

[OCCASparky]

Hmmmm...another repeat of 1988? And who was it who dragged 30,000 Iranians out to the desert for a little double tap to the backs of their heads?

Can you say, "Mousavi?"

[MrB]

Take heed.

This could be a preview of America 2010 or 2012.

[lewisglad]

Looks like tomorrow is the decisive day.

[huldah1776]

Okay, so now the TOTUS is going to watch what happens in Iran and learn what to do when...

[huldah1776]

Is that a tea party?

[ctdonath2]

Care to elaborate?

[lewisglad]

The students are at the University and won't come out, same as 1989 in China

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Popcorn Time...

[Pappy Smear]

Awesome pics. I really like that cute blonde in the bottom one.

[Jim from C-Town]

Patriots and freedom lovers are dieing in the streets of Tehran and our A$$hole president says NOTHING. For the first time in his life he keeps his stupid mouth shut. There is a revolution in Iran, the single most dangerous country in the world and this idiot doesn't even weigh in on the happenings.

This man is a massive failure. A failure in every way. Inexperienced, incompetant, stupid, arrogant A$$. The entire Islamo NAZI regime could be toppled right now with a proper support role from the leader of the free world and this bafoon sits on his hands.

JACKA$$!!!!!!!!!

[Marysecretary]

yeah, I don’t trust him either. Too bad they couldn’t raise up a decent man to lead their country.

[Marysecretary]

Yes, it could.

[JohnBovenmyer]

If DEBKA says this, than the demonstrations may continue safely. Great news!

[Buckeye McFrog]

any sightings of ChiCom military advisors on the scene?

[lewisglad]

Do you hear the people sing
Singing the song of angry men
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes

Will you join in our crusade
Who will be strong and stand with me
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see

Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free

Do you hear the people sing

Singing the song of angry men
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes

Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France

Do you hear the people sing
Singing the song of angry men
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCYr8TWAGn0

[txhurl]

There’s a tweet that Venezuelan troops just landed to help out, unconfirmed.

[kalee]

I wish we had those numbers.