Moreover, the Iraqi movement announced on October 19 that it had already carried out attacks on American bases in Iraq and Syria, and would continue doing so, since the US “bears full responsibility for what is happening in the Gaza Strip”. It also said it was ready to come to the aid of Hamas and has already moved to the Iraqi-Jordanian border.
Jaafar al-Husseini, a spokesperson for the Iraqi-based Kataib Hezbollah, announced on Thursday that his Shia militia was behind the attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria, adding “the operations will continue at a higher pace”. He also announced the movement’s entry into the conflict, which was launched by Hamas on 7 October.
The presence and influence of the anti-Israel 'Axis of Resistance' in the ongoing escalation appear to be growing. So, what exactly is the 'Axis of Resistance,' and what are the movements that it encompasses? Sputnik aims to uncover the answers.
‘Axis of Resistance’
The ‘Axis of Resistance’ refers to the informal Shia’ armed alliance and is reportedly comprised of Iran, Syria, and the Lebanese Hezbollah, the Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah and the Yemeni Houthis militant groups along with any anti-Western or anti-Israeli militias in the region. All of them believe that the State of Israel has no right to exist and has illegally occupied Palestinian land. Actually, since the onset of the current hostilities between Israel and Gaza, numerous members have expressed their readiness to support Hamas, and not just in words.
The 'Axis of Resistance' warned of preemptive actions against Israel in the near future, as stated by Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in an interview with an Iranian news agency on October 17.
“All options are open, and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza. Any preemptive measure [by the resistance leaders] is possible in the coming hours. We don't give orders to the forces of resistance in the region, they take their decisions on their own,” Amirabdollahian added.
However, Tehran rejected claims it had a role in the now infamous Hamas attack on Israel, branding the allegations as baseless, noting that the Islamic Republic does not intervene in the decision-making of other countries.
Gaza Strip: Hamas and PIJ
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) have traditionally been the core of the Resistance, and regularly engage in genuine hostilities with Israel, unlike other members.
Although, Abdul Majeed Awad, a Hamas spokesperson in Lebanon, stressed earlier that the main goal of the Axis of Resistance in general is “to annihilate and wipe out Israel from existence”.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad claims that it is holding 30 Israeli hostages in Gaza, while Hamas is reportedly holding over 200. Both of them also claimed responsibility for several rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli soil.
Southern Lebanon: Hezbollah
Hezbollah is one of the most powerful parties in Lebanon, which in fact has its own armed forces and controls Southern Lebanon, as well as the country's border with Israel.
Since the latest round of the Israeli-Palestinian confrontation, Hezbollah has been trading fire with Israel on a daily basis. The IDF stated on October 16 it would evacuate 28 communities in the northern part of the country, near the Lebanese border. At least three Lebanese civilians and one Israeli were killed over the past week, as well as several Hezbollah military members.
Yemen: Ansar Allah
Ansar Allah, also known as Yemeni Houthis, last week announced the readiness to join the hostilities. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Ansar Allah movement, during his speech on October 10 stated Yemenis are ready to “perform their sacred duty to stand by the Palestinian people”. The day after, he also highlighted the group would respond to any intervention in Gaza with drones, missiles and other military options.
Last Thursday, a US Navy warship operating near the Yemeni coast intercepted multiple missiles and several drones. According to US military officials, they were fired by Houthis and could have been heading “potentially toward targets in Israel”.
Iraq: Kataib Hezbollah
Since October 18, Kataib Hezbollah has repeatedly claimed credit for several drone attacks on the Ain al-Assad and Al-Harir US military bases in Iraq, as well as Al-Tanf and Conoco US bases in Syria. Moreover, on October 19, the movement’s spokesperson, Jaafar al-Husseini, stated that the attacks were conducted because “The Americans are essential partners in killing the Gaza Strip residences, and therefore, they must bear the consequences”.
Earlier, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi promised targeting US bases in Iraq if the US supports Israel during the war.