Hezbollah, Houthis, Shiite militias… these pro-Iranian groups are lighting the embers of the Middle East

Tens of thousands of militias are scattered across the Middle East. Following a deadly attack on a US logistics base in Jordan, Joe Biden announced a crackdown on Iranian-backed armed groups. Unofficial armed groups have operated in the region for many years, defending Iraq and Iran from direct accusations. In the Middle East, from Iran to the Mediterranean coast of Lebanon, a nebula of factions has formed, a system soberly called the “axis of resistance.”

“Iran is using these groups to indirectly confront the Americans,” notes geopolitical scientist Simon Berger, who assures that “Iran is managing to mobilize militias throughout the Middle East, drawing on internal tensions.” The Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s Shiites, are behind a vast network of more or less independent groups that they rally around, in particular, hatred of Sunni Muslims.

Revolutionary Guard at the head of the “axis of resistance”

The Revolutionary Guards have three enemies: Sunnism, “little Satan” (Israel) and “big Satan” (USA). Western powers fear the influence of a group that is divided, fragmented and powerful. It will unite the region’s 125,000 militias. “This is truly a state within a state. They support all movements opposing Israel, supply and train other groups throughout the region,” explains the geopolitical scientist.

From “Ramadan” in Iraq to “Rasul Allah” in the Arabian Peninsula, including the “Levant Corps” in Syria, Lebanon or Jordan and the “Ansar Corps” in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the nebula extends over a large area of ​​3500 km. . At the helm is the Quds Force, which acts as coordinators and has significant expertise in explosives, ballistics and intelligence.

The goal is to create a land corridor between Iran and the Mediterranean Sea on the Lebanese side. An almost 2,500 km long sleeve that will pass through Iraq, Jordan and Syria is enough to control the entire region. “The militarization of the Revolutionary Guard has intensified. Iran denies involvement and it is difficult to prove, even if we know they are behind it,” explains Simon Berger.

Lebanese Hezbollah: the most armed

The Lebanese political party is the main ally of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Created by the Revolutionary Guard in the 1980s, its goal has always been to fight the Israeli presence in southern Lebanon. In 2000, the group pushed back Tel Aviv forces.

Hezbollah reportedly has an arsenal of between 100,000 and 130,000 missiles and missiles, making it the most armed non-state group in the world. “We estimate their number at 25-45 thousand militants,” estimates Simon Berger. They have already fought Daesh and won military victories. “Israel fears that Hezbollah will launch an offensive; it will undoubtedly lose, but it has significant potential to cause harm.”

Hezbollah is a major player in the conflict, which has devastated the region since its fall. Its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, does not hide either his hatred of Israel or his support for Iran. Iranians praise the group’s ability to penetrate the politics of an entire country.

“Islamic Resistance in Iraq”: Shiism versus Sunniism

The Iraqi Islamic Resistance, which emerged after the Iraq War in the early 2000s, also has a strong presence in Syria. While integral to the war against Sunni Islam in the Middle East, he is also fighting against the American presence in the region. Since 2023, it has been launching missiles and drones at American bases in Iraq and Syria.

She is also being monitored by the US, which suspects her of involvement in a recent attack in Jordan, near the Syrian border. Since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the group has claimed responsibility for 20 attacks on US troops in the two countries. “There was no repression, but this raises fears of a fire or, in any case, a stronger explosion,” the geopolitical scientist laments.

Houthis in the Red Sea

By threatening the Red Sea maritime corridor, through which 40% of world trade passes, the Houthis are creating difficulties for the West. Based in Yemen, where Iran and Saudi Arabia clash through proxy groups, the Houthis occupy a prominent position in the region.

“They have the potential to disrupt international trade. More and more shipping companies are choosing not to go through this anymore, which adds about twenty days to the journey time,” explains Simon Berger.