The “Quds Force,” an organization that has been mentioned a seemingly infinite number of times by the media, subject matter experts, military officers, and politicians. In fact, it is difficult to discuss insurgency activities in Iraq and Afghanistan without the term, “Quds Force,” coming up. So, what is it, who are its members, and what is its purpose? These are very good questions, indeed.

The Quds Force, according to Al-Ahram, an Egyptian Newspaper, was founded by the current Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during the Iran-Iraq War. During that war, the Quds Force had a primary mission of organizing, training, equipping, and financing Kurdish Fighters in Northern Iraq. It conducted other missions as a special unit to the Revolutionary Guards that are remarkably similar to those behind-the-lines missions of the U.S.’s Special Forces. When the Iran-Iraq War ended the efforts of the Quds Force inside Iraq didn’t. They continued to train, equip, and finance Kurdish Fighters against Saddam Hussein.

With time, the Quds Force expanded its efforts to other parts of the world. Most notably was the assisting of the Northern Alliance against Soviet occupational forces during the Soviet War in Afghanistan. Later, the Quds Force assisted the Northern Alliance against the Taliban. In fact, after the Taliban killed several Iranian officials Iran prepared to invade Afghanistan. Although the invasion never occurred, mainly because the United States beat them to it, their assistance through the clandestine efforts of the Quds Force continued. Another example is their involvement in the Bosnia-Serbia conflict. In this situation the Quds Force, along with Hezbollah operatives, rendered organizational, training, equipment, and financial assistance to Muslim Bosnians as they fought against Orthodox Christian Serbians. Expansion of areas of operation and scope of activities continues for the Quds Force.