By Atiq Ullah
Proxies have long been at the heart of political tensions in the Middle East. As a way to avoid direct military confrontation, nations have often used proxy warfare.
Rather, they are aided by groups from the outside. In addition to being more cost-effective than official military operations, these proxies reduce the likelihood of direct confrontation between enemies. Political analysts in the Muslim world have pointed to what they call a “cold war” between Iran and Saudi Arabia ever since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The oil-rich Arabian Peninsula is home to fifteen percent of the world’s reserves, and both countries want control of the region. Saudi Arabia has maintained its security and countered Iran through its strong connections with the West, which were fostered by its Salafi-led monarchy.
In the meanwhile, the Shiite-led Iranian government has set up a web of militias around the Middle East to fight Saudi Arabia and Western influence and protect Iranian geopolitical objectives. Iran has established a foothold in several countries through its prominent military groups, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Iran backs proxy militias for a variety of ideological, strategic, and geopolitical objectives. Aiming to offset perceived threats from rival Sunni-majority states, particularly Saudi Arabia, and to establish a Shia-based sphere of influence are important factors. Iran is actively cultivating proxy militias in an effort to become a regional hegemon and acquire strategic depth.
In regional crises, Iran can use these militias as a bargaining chip to further its geopolitical objectives and reduce the influence of other states.
The region’s sectarian tensions have escalated due to Iran’s backing of proxy militias. A chauvinistic undercurrent has emerged that transcends national lines, intensifying the Sunni-Shia antagonism, due to the predominantly Shia composition of various proxy groups.
The region’s stability has been greatly affected by the actions of proxy militias. The participation of these organizations in conflicts often exacerbates existing tensions, leading to a regressive cycle of violence that hinders attempts to establish stability and peace. The international community has responded to Iran’s backing for proxy militias through sanctions, diplomatic channels, and demands for a de-escalation. Finding a middle ground in the power dynamics of the area and encouraging dialogue will remain crucial in tackling the broader consequences of Iran’s proxy operations.
The humanitarian impact of the proxy conflicts that Iran has supported is substantial. Displacement, deaths, and infrastructure destruction are hallmarks of proxy militia conflicts, making regional stability and rebuilding more challenging. Diplomatic engagement, conflict settlement, and addressing the root causes of tensions in the region are essential for de-escalation initiatives.
To reduce the impact of proxy militias on regional stability, it is imperative that Iran’s neighbors engage in dialogue and cooperation. With ideological and geopolitical motivations, Iran’s network of proxy militias has significantly impacted Middle Eastern geopolitics. Disagreements, sectarian tensions, and the prospect of regional peace are all exacerbated by the chauvinistic implications carried by Iran’s backing of these militias. To tackle these difficulties, a multi-pronged approach is required, encompassing diplomatic measures, measures for conflict resolution, and a commitment to fostering inclusive and stable regional dynamics.
The intricate web of relationships between Iran and its proxy militias underscores the importance of global unity in promoting enduring peace and the need for thorough understanding of the geopolitical context of the area.
Theoretical Architecturing
In contemporary global politics, proxy militias—also called non-state actors or proxy forces—play a significant role. One popular theoretical framework that attempts to explain how states behave in the international system is realism. One such use is to assess the impact of proxy militias on global diplomacy. By highlighting power, national interest, and state-centric dynamics, realism provides insight into the use of proxy militias and their relevance to international politics.
According to realist theory, nations pursue their own self-interest and power in international affairs. The purpose of proxy militias is to allow states to exert influence and authority without actually engaging in direct battle. Consistent with the realist focus on power dynamics in politics, states can accomplish their goals more covertly and credibly through the use of proxies.
States rationally pursue power and security maximization, according to realists. The use of proxy militias by states to covertly advance national interests is common. The realist view that governments prioritize their own interests is supported by the fact that governments engage with proxy militias for strategic purposes, regardless of whether they support or oppose these groups. Realists were the first to propose the concept of the security dilemma, which states that governments’ efforts to increase security could inadvertently lead to increased tensions and conflict. Because governments may perceive the actions of other states that support their proxies as dangerous, proxy militias can make the problem worse.
An escalation of hostilities and support for the realist view that governments are perpetually competing for security could result from this. Realists believe that a stable international system depends on a well-balanced power structure. Proxy militias help states or coalitions gain an advantage by changing the power balances in their favor without actually fighting. That fits well with realist goals of maintaining or shifting the power system for strategic advantage.
Realist theory is inherently state-centric because it focuses on the actions and goals of states. It is common for proxy militias, although being non-state actors, to behave as extensions of government control and authority. Consistent with the realist notion that states are the primary analytical unit in international relations, states use proxies to further their goals.
The lack of a central authority responsible for monitoring the actions of member states is what realists mean when they say the international system is anarchic. Because there is no overarching power in this anarchic system, governments use proxy conflicts to achieve their own goals.
Proxy militias are useful in this situation. States should conduct strategic calculations, according to realists, if they want to maximize their power and security. Before deciding to use proxy militias, states weigh the pros and downsides of achieving their goals through nonviolent means. Nations can project force through proxy warfare while maintaining a semblance of plausible deniability, which realists highlight as an important aspect of national sovereignty.
States that use proxy militias to achieve their goals without directly violating the sovereignty of other states are demonstrating their commitment to realist principles. Linking proxy militias to international relations Realist ideas that characterize realist theory include power politics, national interests, security dilemmas, power balance, state-centricity, anarchy, strategic calculations, and respect for sovereign nations. In the perspective of realism, proxy militias are helpful instruments that enable governments to negotiate the nuances of the global order and subtly promote their aims.
IRAN’s WEB OF PROXY MILITIAS:
Yemen
Yemen is located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Located at the Bab el Mandeb Strait between Yemen and Djibouti, it is an important point in the Arabian Sea. One in twelve global commerce routes pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, according to the Energy Information Administration.
An Iranian-backed militia organization known as the Houthis now controls Sana and the entirety of northern Yemen with the exception of Marib governorate. Ansar Allah, literally “supporters of God,” is another name for this group, and they seized power in 2014. Sana, a Yemeni city close to the Bab el-Mandeb strait, fell to the Houthis in 2015.
The Houthis previously organized in the 1990s and started fighting against the Sunni government of Yemen, which was centralized and controlled by Saudi Arabia. They believed that the government was corrupt, failed to enforce law and order, and promoted Salafi views throughout Yemen.
For a long time, the United States and Saudi Arabia have accused Iran of providing weapons and supplies to the Houthi rebels; however, Iran has always denied this. However, other pieces of evidence point to Iran as the driving force behind the coalition against the Saudi-led alliance and the Houthis, who are launching attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea.
Iranian support for the Houthis stems from the group’s close affiliation with the Zaydi Shiite school of thought and its advantageous position to ward off threats posed by Saudi Arabia and Iran’s regional adversaries. Houthi attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea have slowed down 20% of global trade, further demonstrating the group’s importance.
Lebanon
On opposite sides of Lebanon in the eastern Mediterranean you’ll find Syria and Israel. Among Lebanon’s Shiite rebel groups, Hezbollah—”The Party of God”—is the most well-known. The Revolutionary Guards Corps of the Islamic Revolution (IRGC) trains and supports it.
In the course of the fifteen-year Lebanese civil war, which started in 1975 and lasted until the year 2000, Hezbollah was created. Some estimates put the number of Hezbollah’s soldiers in the tens of thousands, making it the most powerful non-state actor globally. In 1992, Hezbollah’s initial foray into Lebanese politics occurred when eight of its members were elected to the parliament.
Currently, Hezbollah holds thirteen seats in the Lebanese parliament. Hezbollah pledged loyalty to Iran’s supreme commander in 1985. Hezbollah is Iran’s weapon of choice when it comes to fighting its opponents, Arab or not. In the civil war in Syria, Hezbollah was also instrumental in the opposition to Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
There were multiple attacks in the Middle East by Hezbollah on Israel and Western forces. They bombarded French and US barracks in Beirut in 1983, and in 2006, during the Hezbollah-Israel war, they fired thousands of missiles against Israel. Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly provided Hamas with logistical support, armaments, and training, according to Western nations and Israel. They were the Palestinian resistance group responsible for the attacks on October 7. Over 1300 Israeli citizens lost their lives at the hands of Hamas. Hezbollah fired shells on northern Israel following a Hamas strike on October 7. They claim this is a demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian resistance. From 30,000 rockets to 150,000 rockets and precision missiles, with 100,000 soldiers—that is the claim made in recent news articles regarding Hezbollah’s military expansion.
In every conflict involving Iran, Hezbollah is the most crucial actor due to its ability to alter the course of a war.
Syria
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps trains a vast network of front groups in Syria, which Iran controls. The two most influential Shiite militias in Syria are the Pakistan-based Zaynabiyoun and the Afghanistan-based Fatemiyoun. In 2014, the Al Quds force trained it and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) established it. Zaynebiyoun comprises Shiites residing in Pakistan.
Throughout the Syrian civil war, Zaynabiyoun played a crucial role in bolstering the government of Bashar Al Assad. Zaynebiyoun may have had as many as 7,000 to 8,000 men. Making amends for the deaths of others was the primary responsibility of Zaynabiyoun during the Syrian civil war. They played a significant role in several battles, including those in southern Syria, Palmyra, eastern Syria, and Aleppo.
The Supreme Leader praised their efforts to further Iranian objectives in Syria, referring to them as “Warriors who fight well.” The Fatemiyoun Brigade is a well-known Syrian militia that has Iranian backing. Its members are Shiites from Afghanistan who have emigrated to Iran. In order to assist in the civil conflict in Syria, Iran dispatched Fatemiyoun forces.
In Syria, the Fatemiyoun squad fought with Bashar Al Assad’s army in their fight against ISIS. Due to their extreme poverty in Afghanistan, Iran exploits the Hazara people who reside outside of the country. Joining the Fatemiyoun brigade, Iran assures these Hazara refugees that they will be provided with excellent social and economic possibilities. Money is also given to them by Iran. The Taliban-run government of Afghanistan is reportedly gravely threatened by the Fatemiyoun brigade, which has 2,000 warriors.
Palestinian Territories
The religious authorities of Iran have complete control over the country because it is a theocratic state. The Iranian people want unifying rhetoric if they are to maintain a firm hold on the administration. Throughout the Islamic Revolution that began in 1979, the clerics have proclaimed “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” At many Iranian state ceremonies, images of the Al Aqsa mosque are frequently displayed. After that, Iran started supporting various militias fighting Israel.
The two most famous of these organizations are Islamic Jihad and Hamas. After its founding in 1985, Hamas joined other groups in fighting Israel. Hamas became the group’s leader after winning elections in Gaza in 2006. Even before Hamas was created, Israel has consistently claimed that Iran aided Hamas and was involved in the killings on October 7.
In the ongoing conflict, Iran is fighting Israel through front groups that it has established, including Hamas, Houthis, and Hezbollah. Iran supports Hamas, despite the fact that it is a Sunni opposition party. However, Iranian-backed puppet organizations slaughtered hundreds of thousands of people on account of their faith.
Iraq
For many years, Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq. In the time after the Iraq War, Iran has increased the number of its militias stationed in Iraq to combat the US-led coalition as well as ISIS. Powerful militias backed by Iran in Iraq include the Badr Organization, Kataib Hezbollah Brigade (Party of God Brigade), Asaib al-Haq (The League of the Righteous), Harkat Hezbollah Al Najba (The Party of God’s Nobles Movement), and Kata’ib Sayyid Al Shuhada Brigade (Masters of Martyrs Brigade). Paying for and training all of these front groups is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The most prominent and long-standing of these organizations is the Al Badr Organization, which Iran established in 1982 and 1983. With strong ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Al Badr is the longest-standing Iranian operative in the Middle East. After a US-led coalition deposed Saddam Hussein, the IRGC made a triumphant return to Iraq, where they played an integral role in the battle against ISIS.
Saudi Arabia
Iran and Saudi Arabia are bitter rivals because they both seek dominion over the Middle East. Furthermore, the two nations severed diplomatic relations for distinct causes. However, China assisted in their reconciliation and reestablishment of diplomatic relations in 2023.
Iran provided support to the Houthis in their conflict with Saudi Arabia and also increased the number of proxy servers located within Saudi Arabia. Hiszbollah al Hijaz, or the “Saudi Party of God,” is the primary Saudi organization that receives support from Iran. It was established in 1987 and is a Shiite militant organization. The strikes carried out by Hizbullah Al Hijaz in Saudi Arabia were successful.
Take the 1996 bombing of Khobar, Saudi Arabia, for instance; it resulted in the deaths of 19 US troops and injuries to 373 others. The Saudi government has been attempting to dismantle this terrorist organization since 2001, and so far, their efforts have been successful.
Iran provides training and weapons to the Saraya al Ashtar and Saraya Al Mukhtar, two factions that are sponsored by ISIS. The United States government has designated two chiefs of Saraya Al Nashtar as international terrorists. Ahmad Hassan Yusuf and Al Sayed Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan Alawi are their names. Both factions are being held responsible for the assaults on American forces stationed in Bahrain.
Conclusions
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran’s network of Middle Eastern proxies has expanded. Part of its strategy to gain power is to undermine the peace and stability process.
Iran has used sectarian ideology and geopolitical ambitions to spread these armed organizations from Yemen to Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, among other locations. This exemplifies the state’s use of non-state actors to achieve its goals and safeguard national interests. However, Iran should also be aware that non-state actors do not necessarily follow the orders of their guardians. As the Russian Wagner Group demonstrated in 2023, they are capable of working against their masters and posing a serious security threat to them.
Iran is also believed to be enriching uranium, according to the International Atomic Agency. The possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons raises serious security concerns for its neighbors, particularly Pakistan and Afghanistan, due to the fact that it is very difficult to stop a nuclear state.
Author: Atiq Ullah – International Relations and Global Politics young freshman, currently doing BS-Hons in International Relations. He has expertise in Middle Eastern Politics, Digital International Relations and Security Studies.
(The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights)
Image Credit: Tasnim News Agency