Understanding the Iran-Backed Militant Groups Battling Israel

As clashes between Israel and Iran have escalated in recent weeks, clashes between Iran-backed militant groups and Israel have escalated. Fighting in Lebanon involving Hezbollah increased. Along with Hamas, which launched a significant attack on Israel on October 7, Hezbollah is a key part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” a network of militias spread across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and Yemen. These proxies provide Iran with strategic leverage against its enemies and enable it to exert influence throughout the region.

Hezbollah: Armed Forces of Lebanon

The Shiite militia Hezbollah is widely regarded as the world’s most armed non-state actor. It was born out of the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, when the group finally forced Israel out of southern Lebanon after a 22-year occupation. The 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel lasted 34 days and ended without a clear winner, but Hezbollah’s continued presence posed a significant challenge to Israeli security.

The Houthis: A Red Sea Threat

Another group supported by Iran is the Houthi movement, which originated in Yemen’s civil war. Although not directly involved in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the Houthis target ships linked to Israel and its allies, disrupting maritime trade in the Red Sea. Their threat lies in their ability to disrupt critical global shipping lanes, escalating tensions in the wider region.

Hamas: Palestinian Islamic Movement

Hamas, a Sunni Islamist group that emerged in 1987, is an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood. The group controls Gaza and has long fought against what it sees as Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. Iran provides financial aid, arms and training to Hamas, helping the group maintain its position as a key player in the Palestinian resistance movement.

Iran’s Strategic Use of Proxy Groups

Through groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, Iran seeks to expand its influence and challenge Israeli and US interests in the region. These groups receive significant support from Iran in terms of weapons, training and funding, allowing them to carry out their operations. As tensions rise in the region, these militant groups remain central to Iran’s strategy to confront its regional rivals, including Israel.

Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis have all been designated terrorist organizations by the United States, underscoring the broader geopolitical stakes of the ongoing conflict.

The future of conflict

The situation remains volatile as these groups continue to engage in military operations. Hezbollah and the Houthis have declared their intention to fight alongside Hamas until the end of the war in Gaza, signaling the possibility of further escalation in the region. The role of these Iranian-backed groups in the broader Middle East conflict shows no sign of abating, as their actions continue to shape the geopolitical landscape.