To understand the real fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East, it is useful to take a closer look at the “axis of resistance,” Iran’s proxies and allies that stretch from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
Now, this latest regional tension has been reignited by Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7 and Israel’s ensuing war in Gaza. The United States says Hamas is funded, equipped, and sometimes trained by Iran, although Tehran has claimed it was not involved in the October 7 attack. But other Iranian proxies then became involved.
Hezbollah in Lebanon:
On October 8, Hezbollah in Lebanon, one of the most powerful forces in the region with about 100,000 fighters and links to the Lebanese government, fired rockets across the border into northern Israel, to which the Israeli army responded. Now, for the first time, this has raised concerns about a wider conflict.
Ansar Allah Houthis in Yemen:
On October 19, Yemen’s Houthi rebels first began launching missiles against Israel, then changed their focus to targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, causing global shipping chaos. US and UK strikes against targets in Yemen have not stopped these ongoing attacks.
Islamic resistance in Iraq:
In Iraq, there are a number of Iranian-backed militia groups that have been increasingly active since the war in Gaza and target US forces in the country on an almost daily basis, operating under the umbrella of the “Islamic Resistance Group in Iraq,” united in ideology, but divided in operations, making Targeting them is more difficult.
Syria:
Finally, Syria. Iran is believed to have deployed up to 80,000 men to support President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war since 2011. It is unclear how many of these men remain. After October 7, US forces were subjected to drone and missile attacks in Syria as well, with some US soldiers being injured.
When it comes to all these countries, all roads lead to Iran, which itself engaged in attacks in Iraq and Syria this week, including the largest and most complex missile operation according to Iranian state media, which reached about 1,200 kilometers or more than 740 miles, Which puts Israel within its reach.
At this point, there is little to suggest that Iran actually wants a direct conflict with Israel or the United States, but the sheer number and reach of its proxies engaging the United States and its allies inevitably raises fears of a broader, unintended conflict.
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2024-01-17 17:49:00
