WANA (Feb 18) – The second phase of the “Great Prophet 19” military drill, the largest operational exercise of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces, commenced on Tuesday in southwest Iran.

 

This stage follows the first phase, which was part of a security drill in Ezgeleh, Kermanshah, and was launched in the presence of Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC Ground Forces. The main operational phase of the exercise is taking place in Shavuriyeh, involving various specialized and combat units of the IRGC Ground Forces.

 

Large-Scale Military Operations Underway

During this phase, the IRGC Ground Forces are conducting offensive and defensive operations, electronic warfare (EW) tactics, and high-intensity armored, missile, drone, and artillery assaults. The exercises will continue in the coming days, testing new combat strategies and military hardware recently integrated into the IRGC’s units.

 

Brigadier General Ahmad-Ali Fayzollahi, speaking on the sidelines of the drill, emphasized that the Saberin Special Forces Brigade is at its highest level of operational readiness in terms of equipment and personnel. He added that the elite unit has been assigned three special missions, which will be executed according to command-level operational planning.

 

One of the key innovations in this exercise, he noted, is the first-ever aerial deployment of large-scale equipment via aircraft by the Saberin Brigade. Additionally, paratrooper landings, helicopter-borne assaults, and the deployment of smart loitering munitions for reconnaissance and kamikaze attacks are among the brigade’s core operations.

 

Massive Combined Attacks in the Exercise

Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, IRGC Ground Forces commander, highlighted the execution of combined assaults and heavy bombardments as defining features of this phase.

 

“The most notable aspect of this drill is the integration of multiple military branches, conducting coordinated artillery, armored, drone, and aerial strikes,” he said.

 

The first phase of this exercise was conducted last month in Kermanshah as part of a security operation, while the second, more combat-focused stage has now begun in southwest Iran.

 

The exercise aims to enhance combat readiness, implement modern warfare tactics, and assess the performance of new IRGC weapon systems. The drills include intensive missile, drone, and artillery firepower, along with helicopter-borne assaults, logistical airdrops, river-crossing maneuvers, ambush operations, electronic warfare tactics, and nighttime bombardments carried out by various IRGC units.