31st Ashura Division


31st Ashura Division is a division of the Islamic [Revolutionary Guard Corps]. It covers the provinces of East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, and Ardabil.
It was first officially organized as the 1st Ashura Brigade under command of Mohammad Ali Jaafari during Iran–Iraq War, just before Operation Muharram. Its units had participated in various clashes after the 1979 Revolution. The brigade was later expanded into 31st Ashura Division. It participated in various operations of the Iran–Iraq War. Its notable commander was Mehdi Bakeri. After Bakeri's death in Operation Badr, Amin Shari'ati was appointed as its new commander. The division was merged with and is now a part of the Basij of East Azerbaijan province to form the East Azerbaijan Ashura Provincial Corps during the rearrangement of the IRGC units in 2008.
The 31st Ashura Division is currently headquartered in Tabriz, with IRGC Brigadier General Alireza Madani serving as its commander. Before the war, they fought in Kurdistan, helping to take control of cities like Saqqez, Oshnavieh, Bukan, Piranshahr, Sardasht, Shahin Dezh, and others.
During the war, they joined many major operations, including:
Other missions included: