Rozita Miri

South Persian Rifles was a military force founded by the British in the southern parts of Iran (Bushehr, Shiraz, Kerman, Fars, Bandar Abbas, Yazd and Kazerun) in 1916.

Formation of these forces was simultaneous with the inactive period of parliament between its third and fourth period. It is to be mentioned that during this period, various cabinets were formed in the country and at the time of Vossouqoddowleh, the south Persian rifles was at the height of its power.

General sir Percy Sykes entered Bandar Abbas with the intention of founding the South Persian Rifles. He became the commandant of these forces which included Iranian, Indian and British nationalities. The force was formed apparently for the purpose of saving the security in the southern parts of Iran. However, in fact if was formed for the purpose of saving the interests of the British during the First World War. South Persian rifles were faced with the strong opposition of the people because of its actiosn. It was dissolved in 1921.