Erfan Fard
In the stormy panorama of the Middle East, Iran’s regime has embarked on a complex and ambitious journey. Its objective: to assert influence and reshape the region in its favor. Central to this strategy is the support of Shia terrorist militias, which serve as potent tools for Tehran’s geopolitical ambitions.
The rationale behind Iran’s maneuvering is multifaceted. At the core lies the desire to establish itself as a dominant regional power. This entails extending its sphere of influence, often at the expense of traditional power structures. In this high-stakes geopolitical game, Iran strategically bolsters Shia militias in predominantly Shia areas, in effect challenging the established regional order.
Religious and ideological motivations further fuel Iran’s pursuit. The country’s leadership, particularly the Supreme Leader and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), adhere to a Shia Islamic ideology. They perceive themselves as guardians of Shia communities across the Middle East, backing Shia militias as a means to further their religious and ideological goals.
Iran’s actions also serve to counterbalance regional rivals, most notably Saudi Arabia and Israel. By supporting these proxy groups, Iran can project its power and establish a network of allies that can effectively challenge its adversaries.
Furthermore, Iran seeks to gain control over key geopolitical areas, such as the “Shia Crescent” – a corridor that stretches from Iran to Lebanon. This corridor provides a crucial land route for the transfer of weapons, fighters, and influence. Control over this strategic pathway is a crucial piece of Iran’s puzzle.
The million-dollar question, however, is whether Iran’s ambitions can be realized. The answer to this question hinges on several factors, including local dynamics, regional opposition, international pressure, and the persistent conflicts and instability in the region.
The receptivity of local populations to the presence of Iranian-backed Shia militias varies. In some cases, these groups have faced resistance from local communities, which can undermine their effectiveness.
On the regional front, Iran’s expansionist agenda has provoked concern among neighboring states, leading to regional conflicts and proxy wars. Gulf states and Israel, in particular, are keen to counterbalance Iran’s growing influence, contributing to a complex web of geopolitical rivalries.
Internationally, the United States and other Western nations have imposed sanctions on Iran and have sought to contain its regional reach. The success of these measures plays a pivotal role in limiting Iran’s ability to reshape the Middle East.
The Middle East’s ever-evolving geopolitical landscape adds another layer of complexity to Iran’s ambitions. Ongoing conflicts and instability create opportunities for Iran to expand its influence, but they also introduce significant challenges.
Iran has supported and, in some cases, created various Shia terrorist militias and paramilitary groups across the Middle East. The number and influence of these criminal and extremist groups can change over time, and new groups may emerge. Some of the prominent Shia militias and groups associated with Iranian regime include:
-Hezbollah (Lebanon): Perhaps the most well-known and established Shia militia supported by Iran, Hezbollah is a Lebanese militant group with a significant presence in Lebanese politics and close ties to Iran.
-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces – Iraq): This is an umbrella organization comprising multiple Shia militias in Iraq. While some units are independent, many have strong links to Iran.
-Houthis (Yemen): The Houthi rebel movement in Yemen, also known as Ansar Allah, has received support from Iran, including weapons and training.
-Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH – Iraq): AAH is an Iraqi militia with close ties to Iran in Iraq.
-Badr Organization (Iraq): Another powerful Iraqi Shia militia with links to Iran, the Badr Organization is politically active and has a presence in the Iraqi government.
-Liwa Fatemiyoun (Afghanistan): Comprised mainly of Afghan Shia terrorists, this militia has been active in Syria and is believed to be backed by Iran.
-Liwa Zainebiyoun (Pakistan): Similar to Liwa Fatemiyoun, this group consists of Pakistani Shia terrorists and has been involved in Syria with Iranian support.
-Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (Iraq): A prominent Iraqi Shia militia with strong ties to Iran, it has fought in Syria alongside the Syrian government forces to protect the dictatorship of Assad.
-Kata’ib Hezbollah (Iraq): This militia is known for its anti-American activities during the Iraq War and maintains close links with Iran.
-Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (Iraq): Another Iraqi Shia militia supported by Iran, it is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces.
These are just a few examples of the Shia militias that have received varying degrees of support from the mullah’s regime in Iran. The precise number of Iranian-backed Shia terrorist militias, their influence, and their activities can change over time due to evolving geopolitical circumstances and regional conflicts. Iran’s support for these non-state actors is a subject of concern for many countries in the Middle East and has contributed to regional tensions and conflicts.
The influence of these Islamic terrorist militias extends across political, military, and even social spheres, making them formidable actors in the region. They raise serious questions about the region’s future stability and peace, with implications that ripple far beyond the Middle East. The evolving dynamic between these radical Shia militias, their sponsors in Iran, and the wider international community is a subject of persistent concern, demanding continued vigilance and diplomatic efforts to address this complex challenge.
While Iran’s regime of mullahs is known for its support of Shia terrorist groups across the Middle East, it has also had connections with certain Sunni terrorist groups. However, it’s important to note that these relationships are often strategic and pragmatic rather than based on shared ideology, as Iran is primarily a Shia-majority country.
Some of the Sunni militia groups that have had varying degrees of engagement with Iran include:
-Taliban: Iran has been accused of providing limited support to the Taliban in the past, mainly in the form of weapons and financial aid. This support is believed to be aimed at countering common enemies, such as ISIS.
-Hamas: While primarily a Sunni organization, Hamas has had a complex relationship with Iran. While Iran has provided some support, including financial aid and weapons, the two have differed on various regional issues.
-Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ): PIJ, a Sunni militant group, has had closer ties to Iran and received support from Tehran, although it, too, is not ideologically aligned with Iran’s Shia regime.
-Ansar al-Islam (Iraq and Syria): This Sunni militant group has received support from Iran, mainly during the Iraq War when both had a common enemy in the form of al-Qaeda.
-Houthi Rebels (Yemen): While the Houthi movement itself is Shia, it has also included Sunni fighters in its ranks. Iran has supported the Houthi rebels in Yemen against a Saudi-led coalition.
It’s important to emphasize that Iran’s support for these Sunni groups is often opportunistic, driven by pragmatic considerations, and does not necessarily indicate ideological alignment. The primary goal for Iran is to advance its regional interests and counter its rivals, such as the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
Whether these groups are labeled as “terrorists” depends on the perspective of various governments and organizations. Some of these groups, such as the Taliban and certain factions of Hamas, have been labeled as terrorist organizations by some countries, while others, like the Houthi rebels, are not universally designated as terrorists.
The classification of these groups, Iran’s terrorist network, is often subject to political and diplomatic considerations, and it may vary depending on the context and the specific country or organization making the designation.
In summary, Iran’s endeavor to reshape the Middle East through support for Shia terrorist militias is a multifaceted, contentious, and evolving issue. Success or failure hinges on a complex interplay of factors, including local dynamics, regional competition, international pressure, and the continual evolution of the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape. The outcome remains uncertain and is the source of ongoing regional and global concern.
Considerably, Ali Khamenei’s aspirations and fantasies for the annihilation of Israel prove to be a mere mirage, as his corrosive ideology fails to garner any support among the Islamic nations’ leadership. Notably, the Iranian populace, particularly the burgeoning generation, harbors an aversion to Khamenei and his doctrines, evincing a resounding solidarity with the state of Israel.