Pro-Iranian Separatists in Ferghana Valley
By Bellendcat
Portrait of Kyrgyz Shia Cleric
Photographs showcase two armed men with what appears to be Iranian or Hezbollah supplied tactical vests. Over the past years, Iran has expanded its powers abroad, doubling itse efforts to support proxies, namely in Iraq, Yemen, Syria (Prior to the fall of the regime), and Lebanon. These armed groups would be sent anything from advisors to weapons and individual equipment.
Iran has increased its trade and cooperation with many Central Asian countries, particularly Kyrgyzstan. Despite the Sunni Islam manority Kyrgyz, Iran’s trade is equal to about 60 million USD in the past two years.
However, our analysts believe that the trade does not stop at economic, it’s also clandestine in nature.
About 1 percent of Kyrgyzstan is Shia, yet there is evidence their militant separatist groups are actually backed by Iran or its proxies. Iran may not have direct involvement, however, the act of supporting pro Iranian Shia sentiment is beneficial to the old guard in Tehran.
New photographs obtained by our analysts showcase Israeli style Ephod tactical vests consistently used by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. These vests are occasionally imports from Israel, but local clones and Chinese copies also exist. Note the olive green color and silhouette consistent with the Hezbollah style fighting tactical vests. Also note the rifles. AK-100 pattern rifles and AKM pattern rifles consistent with what is locally obtainable in Kyrgyzstan.
Another piece of evidence is the militant propaganda video posted last year. Our analysts have a screenshot from a Hezbollah video, and it shows that the equipment, uniform and terrain are consistent with that of the Lebanese Hezbollah as opposed to Kyrgyzstan. It is likely that Hezbollah, with its more developed public relations and media wing, aided in creating propaganda for the militant group since at least 2025.
Support of a Shia population, or even sympathetic non Shias is typical of the Iranian playbook of power projection, as other non Shia majority countries Iran supported or supports include Sunni Bosnia and Christian Armenia. Iranians believe in fighting what they perceive as oppression anywhere they decide it is. A huge factor thar is cited by the Battle of Karbala being a permanrnt condition, and this belief drives their power projection as the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Disclaimer: These articles are made for CGTN: Central Asia, a parody news site that ties Far East Tactical’s storyline to airsoft events we partake in: Milsim West, Milsim Hawaii, Milsim Canada, or otherwise.
These are not real. That’d be funny if people think they’re real, but no. It’s not that Deep. The State of media and people taking Milsim too seriously, lol.