This is not the Regime finally deciding to act on this pressing problem. In fact, it is the Regime trying to quash the protests that have erupted as a result of government inaction. The militias are only there to suppress the people, not to help them, and the presence of the militias has only increased public anger.

After all, most countries would reach out to international aid organisations, like the Red Cross, or accept offers of help from wealthier countries, like the US.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) wrote: “While the devastating floods affect more regions of the country, such as Khorasan, Hormozgan, Kerman, and other provinces of the country, the religious fascism ruling Iran has resorted to suppressive measures against the people of these areas and preventing popular protests instead of helping flood victims.”

To be clear about the intentions of these militias, IRGC Colonel Shahin Hasanwand said that 24  people had been arrested over the weekend for posting online about the flood, the lack of help from the mullahs, and even the Regime’s agents destroying flood barriers so that the water would hit homes rather than oil wells.

The people of Iran, including literal children, were doing more to rescue people, coordinate relief efforts, and build flood barriers than the IRGC and their militias, even though the armed group had access to things that could have been beneficial, like heavy machinery and engineering facilities, boats and helicopters.

The day after the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the Zeinbaiyoun, and the Fatemiyoun were deployed to the area, the state-run media launched into factional infighting, which is common among the Regime, where those affiliated with the government blamed the IRGC and the Supreme Leader and vice versa.  They also put forth the narrative that the PMF were helping to prevent the flood reaching the Iraqi city of Amara.

The troops left Iraq this weekend, as confirmed by IRGC Colonel Jamal Shakarami and Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi. These are not just the front line militants that have been sent in either. Top officials from the Quds Force, including IRGC General and US-designated terrorist Qasem Soleimani and the Head of the Quds Executive Council, have gone to the areas specifically to monitor these repressive measures.