IRGC Combatting Coronavirus With All Its Power
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK
TEHRAN – Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps for Coordination Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said the IRGC forces have stepped up to the plate with all their power to combat the coronavirus outbreak in Iran.
Addressing a ceremony on Sunday to introduce the new commander of the IRGC Neynava Unit in the northeastern province of Golestan, which was held via video conference due to the coronavirus outbreak, Rear Admiral Fadavi said it is the first time that such a ceremony is held via video conference, adding that after containing the virus, he will meet with the new commander in person.
“The IRGC is siding with the people with all its power,” the commander said, stressing that the forces would try their hardest to put an end to the crisis based on the instruction of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
“Given the spread of the coronavirus in the northern part of the country, the commander of our corps in Golestan… should have presence on the scene and address the public concerns,” he further said.
Meanwhile yesterday, the Iranian Army started countrywide drills to prepare itself against biological warfare amid an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which has so far killed over 600 people.
The plan for holding the biological defense war game war unveiled by Army Chief Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi during an extraordinary meeting held on Saturday to coordinate efforts in the battle with the COVID-19.
According to General Mousavi, the war games was kicked off on Sunday under command of the Army’s Biodefense Base and under supervision of Deputy Chief of Army for Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.
The Army’s biodefense drills come in line with a Thursday edict by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, in which he warned the outbreak might be the result of a “biological attack” against the Islamic Republic.
“Since there is some evidence that this incident might be a ‘biological attack’, this measure could be also some form of biological defense drill, which would add to national power and strength [of the country],” the Leader said.
In the meeting, held via video conference, the senior commander unveiled plans for a nationwide “biological defense war game” starting Sunday, saying the exercise will be staged under command of the Army’s Biodefense Base and under supervision of Deputy Chief of Army for Coordination Rear Admiral Sayyari.
The Army Ground Force took the lead in the war game, whose field commander will be Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari, the Army chief announced.
Moreover, the top general assigned the Army Air Defense Department, the Air Force, and the Navy to establish bases in Arak, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Chabahr and Konarak as part of an inclusive plan to counter the COVID-19 outbreak, IFP reported.
Major General Mousavi also issued an emergency order to set up a host of medical centers across the country to help tackle the coronavirus epidemic, saying the Army will be establishing new health centers in 300 neighborhoods and areas across Iran to detect the coronavirus cases and prevent the spread of the disease.
As part of efforts to fight the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has in turn opened three field hospitals in northern and southern Iranian provinces.
