IRAN: KHAMENEI ORDERS MILITIA TO STEP UP ACTION AGAINST RIOTERS

Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday urged a unit of the country’s plainclothes militia to step up action against protesters, in remarks that could escalate a crackdown on monthslong anti-regime unrest.

“Dealing with rioters is one of the most important tasks of the Basij,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised speech, referring to a civilian volunteer force known as being one of his most loyal support bases.

Protests erupted in Iran in mid-september and quickly escalated into the fiercest opposition to the Islamic Republic leadership in decades following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was arrested for allegedly violating Islamic dress codes.

Rights groups say more than 400 people, including tens of children, have been killed in clashes with security forces since the protests began.

Dozens of videos that have since been shared on social media show plainclothes forces engage in beatings and opening fire at protesters, alongside the anti-riot police.